Mirex residues in bobwhite quail after aerial application of bait for fire ant control, South Carolina--1975-76
Kendall, R.J.; Noblet, R.; Hair, J.D.; Jackson, H.B.
Pesticides Monitoring Journal 11(2): 64-68
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0031-6156 PMID: 600676 Document Number: 113082
Mirex, the organochlorine compound used for control of the imported fire ant (Solenopsis invicta Buren), was applied aerially under supervision of the South Carolina Plant Pest Regulatory Service in October 1975 to a game management area in Hampton County [South Carolina, USA]. Influenced by recent reports indicating that low levels of mirex were toxic to certain nontarget organisms in laboratory studies, a program was initiated for monitoring mirex residues in bobwhite quail (Colinus virginianus). Pretreatment residues were recorded on a dry-weight basis in bobwhite quail breast and adipose tissue; conversion factors for determining wet-weight concentrations are approximately as follows: fat, 0.77, and breast, 0.29. Residues ranged 0.000-0.178 ppm and 0.247-2.763 ppm, respectively. Mirex residues in quail adipose tissue showed up to 5-fold increase within the 1st mo. after treatment and declined thereafter. A residue peak was noticed in the spring following mirex treatment, corresponding with insect emergence. Mirex residues in quail collected in summer 1976 following a fall bait application showed slightly higher residue levels than in birds taken in summer 1975; however, little, if any, human food chain contamination would result in the consumption of birds with residue levels found in this study.