Info on Methoprene/Frogs
Charles Benbrook (benbrook@hillnet.com)
Wed, 06 Nov 1996 12:46:48 -0500
Several people are following/concerned about the discovery of
deformed frogs in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and other states. A recent Reuters
article identified the insecticide methoprene (an IGR) as a possible case.
Methoprene is applied to contol mosquitos. There is an excellent website
with a searchable database on the impacts of pesticides on non-target
organisms, developed by a Florida A+M university lab focusing on biological
approaches to vector control. People looking for a quick way to learn about
methoprene and other insecticides and biopesticides used to control
mosquitos may wish to check out: http://www.famu.edu/jamsarl/index.html Go
to "web page and NONTARGET DATABASE" and type in methoprene. You should get
61 citations.
I would be interested to learn more about methoprene's impacts on
aquatic organisms. Since it is an IGR, it seems possible it may also
influence the normal development of frogs. Given the importance of IGRs in
biointensive IPM in major food crops, further analysis may be needed on
several products to determine whether certain species may be at risk for
developmental problems.
Charles Benbrook 202-546-5089 (voice)
Benbrook Consulting Services 202-546-5028 (fax)
409 First Street S.E. benbrook@hillnet.com [e-mail]
Washington, D.C. 20003