Detoxication Mechanisms for Aldrin, Carbofuran, Fonofos, Phorate, and Terbufos in Four Species of Diabroticites1

Abstract

14C radiolabeled aldrin, carbofuran, fonofos, phorate, and terbufos were used to evaluate insecticide degradation and metabolic pathways in adults of northern corn rootworm, Diabrotica longicornis (Say), southern corn rootworm, D. undecimpunctata howardi Barber, western corn rootworm, D. virgifera LeConte, and striped cucumber beetle Acalymma vittata (F.). A number of 14C labeled degradation products was demonstrated for each insecticide in each species, and metabolic pathways of epoxidation, hydroxylation, thioether oxidation, desulfuration, and hydrolysis were identified. In general, the southern corn rootworm showed the highest capacity for degradation of the insecticides and the striped cucumber beetle the lowest. The biochemical data were consistent with the levels of insecticide resistance in the 4 species.