Ajai Mansingh

Insecticide contamination of Jamaican environment III. Baseline studies on the status of insecticidal pollution of Kingston Harbour

Abstract Kingston Harbour, a 50 km2 bay connected to the Caribbean sea only through a 3.5 km channel, is contaminated with residues of at least seven insecticides, which are introduced by the Rio Cobre. Weekly sampling of the Harbour for a month in July 1992 revealed the following maximum and mean residue levels in water (μg l−1) and sediments (ng g−1; data in parentheses), respectively: α-endosulphan, 8.56 and 2.18 (1 and 0.52); β-endosulphan, 15.7 and 7.86 (0.76 and 0.4); endosulphan sulphate, 0.0003 and 0.0003 (0); p,p′-DDT, 7 and 7 (0.04 and 0.35); dieldrin, 3.75 and 1.88 (0.001 and 0.001); aldrin, 0 (36.7 and 9.2); endrin, 0.93 and 0.26 (0.006 and 0.006); lindane, 0 (0.8 and 0.5); and diazinon, 0.1 and 0.05 (0.007 and 0.045). Oysters and fish were also contaminated with α-endosulphan, diazinon and aldrin.

The insecticidal and acaricidal actions of compounds fromAzadirachta indica (A. Juss.) and their use in tropical pest management

The pest control potential demonstrated by various extracts and compounds isolated from the kernels and leaves of the neem plant (Azadirachta indica) A. Juss. (Meliaceae) seem to be of tremendous importance for agriculture in developing countries. Laboratory and field trial data have revealed that neem extracts are toxic to over 400 species of insect pests some of which have developed resistance to conventional pesticides, e.g. sweet potato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Genn. Diptera: Aleyrodidae), the diamond back moth (Plutella xylostella L. Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) and cattle ticks (Amblyomma cajennense F. Acarina: Ixodidae andBoophilus microplus Canestrini. Acarina: Ixodidae). The compounds isolated from the neem plant manifest their effects on the test organisms in many ways, e.g. as antifeedants, growth regulators, repellents, toxicants and chemosterilants. This review strives to assess critically the pest control potential of neem extracts and compounds for their use in the tropics. This assessment is based on the information available on the wide range of pests against which neem extracts and compounds have proven to be toxic, toxicity to non-target organisms, e.g. parasitoids, pollinators, mammals and fish, formulations, stability and phytotoxicity.

Insecticide Contamination of Jamaican Environment. IV. Transport of the Residues Coffee Plantations in the Blue Mountains to Coastal Waters in Eastern Jamaica

A survey of 120 coffee farmers in the Portland watershed revealed that they lacked training in pesticide application, and had no concept of the transport of residues in the environment and their impact on non-target organisms.Residues of organochlorine (OC) and organophosphorous compounds (OP) were monitored monthly for over a year in plantation soil, and water, sediment and fauna of three rivers and coastal waters of Portland watershed by gas chromatography. OP residues were not detected in any sample while OC residues were below detection levels in Rio Grande. The mean concentration ± standard error of residues detected in water (μg L_1), sediment (ng g_1) and fauna (ng g_1 in wet weight) were: α-endosulfan 2.7 ± 1.29, 3.8 ± 0.15 and 15.9 ± 1.61, respectively, in Spanish River, 1.56 ± 0.43, 24.3 ± 16.44 and 9.0 ± 1.86, respectively, in Swift River; 0.40 ± 0.02, 1.77 ± 0.68 ± 12.63, respectively, in sea coast; β-endosulfan, 1.2 ± 0.48, 0 and 8.1 ± 1.99, respectively, in Spanish River, 1.9 ± 0.49, 0.75 ± 0.32 and 11. ± 4.32, respectively, in Swift River; 0, 5.1 ± 0.30 and 30.9 ± 15.96, respectively, in sea coast; endosulfan sulphate, 0.12 ± 0.12, 4.8 ± 1.62 and 10.0 ± 2.02, respectively, in Spanish River, 3.6 ± 0.95, 3.1 ± 0.56 and 7.9 ± 1.29, respectively, in Swift River and 0, 3.9 ± 2.17 and 24.0 ± 14.67, respectively, in sea coast.Dieldrin residues were detected only once in water (0.2 ± 0.03) and sediment (0.02 ± 0.003) of Spanish River, water (0.76 ± 0.09) of Swift River and sediment (0.1 ± 0.005) of sea coast; pp′ DDE was found twice in water (3.1 ± 1.53) and sediment (0.1 ± 0.007) of Swift River and water (0.8 ± 0.22) and sediment (6.14 ± 0.41) of sea coast. Arochlor was detected only twice (0.011 and 0.153) in water of Spanish River.

Pesticidal potentials of tropical plants—I. Insecticidal activity in leaf extracts of sixty plants

Crude ethanol extracts (CE) of leaves of 60 plant species belonging to 32 families and 52 genera were bioassayed for toxicity to adult Tribolium confusimi by spraying a 10% (w/v) concentrate under a Potter’s tower. CE of eight plants had none and three had some bioactivity; 36 CE killed from 13 to 40% of the beetles. Thirteen plant extracts inflicted between 53 and 100% mortality in the following order: Azadirachta indica (53%) < Eupatorium odorantum — Gliricida septum = Mimosa pudica (60%) < Annona reticulata = Hibiscus rosa sinensis (67%) < Cycloptis semicordata < Artocarpus altilis < Capsicum annum (90–97%) < Bontia daphnoides = Cuscuta americana = Dioscorea polygonoides = Nicotina tabacum (100%).RésuméDes extraits bruts d’éthanol provenant de feuilles de 60 espèces de plantes appartenant à 32 familles et à 52 genres ont été soumises à des analyses biologiques destinées à déterminer leur toxicité à des Tribolium confusum adultes au moyen de pulvérisations sous tour potters d’un concentré de 10% (poids sur volume).Les extraits de 8 plantes n’ont montré aucune bioactivité, alors que 3 ont montré activité; 36 extraits ont tué de 13 à 40% des scarabées. 13 extraits ont infligé une mortalité de 53 à 100 %. L’orde des plantes bioactives est le suivant: Azadirachta indica (53%) < Eupatorium odorantum = Gliricida sepium = Mimosa pudica (60%) < Annona reticulata — Hibiscus rosasinensis (67%) < Cycloptis semicordata < Artocarpus altilis < Capsicum annum (90–97%) < Bontia daphnoides = Cuscuta americana = Dioscorea polygonoides = Nicotina tabacum (100%).

Insecticide contamination of the Jamaican environment

Abstract The most frequently detected residues in soils, well and spring water, and in water, sediment and fish/shrimp samples from rivers and sea coasts across Jamaica, are endosulfans > chlorpyrifos > diazinon > dieldrin; these often exceed LC 50 values for many fish species. Mussels, sediment and water of Kingston Harbour had residues of eight organochlorines.

Economic losses due to Hypothenemus hampei Ferr. during processing of coffee berries in Jamaica

Abstract Randomly collected samples of harvested ripe coffee berries were processed manually in the laboratory simulating the mechanical operations practiced locally. Beans obtained were assessed for the incidence of damage caused by Hypothenemus hampei Ferr. Data presented demonstrate the important role played by the pest in contributing to further losses of the crop during processing. For the 1980/81 crop, it is estimated that 27.7% (equivalent to US

Insecticide Contamination of Jamaican Environment. V. Island-Wide Rapid Survey of Residues in Surface and Ground Water

1,887,126) of the quantity of coffee purchased at the six pulperies operated by the Coffee Industry Board would have been lost to export, 20.9% of this as a result of damage caused by H. hampei. Approximately 4% of the crop lost to export was undamaged but rejected as some of the berries floated on water after processing. Results strongly suggest that a comprehensive assessment of the economic dangers posed by this pest for the coffee industry should include quantification of losses during every phase of production, processing and marketing. These results a...

Pesticidal potential of tropical plants—II. Acaricidal activity of crude extracts of several Jamaican plants

Residues of organochlorines and organophosphates were determined by gas chromatography in water and sediment from 26 locations in 17 major rivers, 7 natural springs and 13 wells across Jamaica. Samples were collected on only one occasion between May and July, 1994. Residues of endosulfan were detected in all but three rivers; α-endosulfan in 15 samples of sediment (0.9–108.1, mean = 28.93, S.E. = 7.198 μg kg-1) and 13 of water (0.01–0.35, mean = 0.11, S.E. = 0.035 μg L-1), β-endosulfan in 5 sediment (15.29–49.35, mean = 30.56, S.E. = 7.132 μg kg-1) and 12 water (0.05–0.31, mean = 0.14, S.E. = 0.031 μg L-1) samples, and endosulfan sulphate in waters of three rivers (0.003–0.244 μg L-1). Chlorpyrifos was present in 9 sediment (0.423-135.2, mean = 18.38, S.E. = 10.699 μg kg-1) and two water (0.001–0.022 μg L-1) samples, diazinon and ethoprophos in the sediment of one river each. Mean levels (μg L-1) of α and β isomers and sulphate of endosulfan were 0.16 (S.E. = 0.057), 0.12 (S.E. = 0.036) and 0.15 (S.E. = 0.089), respectively, in four of the seven springs and 0.23 (S.E. = 0.052), 0.11 (S.E. = 0.029) and 0.26 (S.E. = 0.088), respectively, in seven of the thirteen wells monitored.

A review of ticks and screwworms affecting livestock in the Caribbean

Topical application of crude ethanol extracts (CEs) of the leaves of 43 of 51 Jamaican plants produced varying degrees of multiple acaricidal effects on engorged Boophilus microplus Canst., including mortality (M), inhibition of oviposition (IO) and inhibition of embryogenesis (IE). Acaricidal indices (AI) ranged from 50 to 100 for the CEs of 29 plants, 38 to 47 for 9 plants and from 0 to < 25 for 13 plants. The most active CEs, in decreasing order of activity (AI values in parentheses) were those of: Simarouba glauca (100), Symphytum officinale (99), Nicotiana tabacum (95), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (93), Ervatamia divaricata = Ricinus communis (82), Salvia serotina (80), Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (79), Blighia sapida = Ocimum micranlhum (76), Spigelia anthelmia (75), Cycloptis semicordata (74), Mormordica charantia (71), Bontia daphnoides (69), Azadirachta indica (68), Capsicum annum = Catharantus roseus = Petiveria alliacea (66), Gliricida sepium (64), Lippia alba (62), Cuscuta americana = Erythrina corallodendrum (61), Piper amalago (60), Cannabis sativa = Cecropia peltata (58), Dioscorea polygonoides (56), Artocarpus altilis (53), Crotalaria retusa (51), Citrus aurantium (50).RésuméL’application par voie de contact des extraits bruts à l’éthanol obtenus des feuilles de 43 des 51 plantes Jamaïcaines, sur la tique gorgée, Boophilus microplus Canst., produisait des effets acaricides à des degrés variés dont: la mortalité, l’inhibition de ponte et d’embryogenèse. Les indices acaricides se rangeaient de 50 à 100 pour les extraits obtenus de 29 plantes, de 38 à 47 pour 9 plantes, et de 0 à 25 pour 13 plantes. Dans un ordre décroissant, les extraits les plus actifs (indice acaricide entre parenthèses) ont été obtenus cjrez les espèces suivantes: Simarouba glauca (100), Symphytum officinale (99), Nicotiana tabacum (95), Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (93), Ervatamia divaricata = Ricinus communis (82), Salvia serotina (80), Stachytarpheta jamaicensis (79), Blighia sapida = Ocimum micranthum (76), Spigelia anthelmia (75), Cycloptis semicordata (74), Mormordica charantia (71), Bontia daphnoides (69), Azadirachta indica (68), Capsicum annum = Catharantus roseus = Petiveria alliacea (66), Gliricida sepium (64), Lippia alba (62), Cuscuta americana = Erythrina corallodendrum (61), Piper amalago (60), Cannabis sativa = Cecropia peltata (58), Dioscorea polygonoides (56), Artocarpus altilis (53), Crotalaria retusa (51), Citrus aurantium (50).

PESTICIDE CONTAMINATION OF JAMAICAN ENVIRONMENT. II. INSECTICIDE RESIDUES IN THE RIVERS AND SHRIMPS OF RIO COBRE BASIN, 1982-1996

Literature on the distribution, biology, seasonal population fluctuations, economic importance, acaricidal susceptibility and measures for the control of the cattle ticks Boophilus microplus Canst., Amblyomma cajennense Fab., A. variegatum. Fab. in the Caribbean has been critically reviewed. The ticks, which inflict about