The toxicity of some soil insecticides to carabid predators of the cabbage root fly (Erioischia brassicae (Bouché))

SUMMARY In laboratory tests concentrations of dieldrin in soil, below that required to control cabbage root fly, were found to be toxic to several species of carabid beetles which prey on the immature stages of this pest. These results confirm previous findings from field experiments that dieldrin residues in soil can, by reducing the populations of predaceous beetles, increase the survival of the cabbage root fly and the subsequent crop damage caused. The toxicity of selected organophosphorus insecticides to these beneficial insects was studied in soils of different moisture content. Thionazin was found to be highly toxic at all moisture levels as was diazinon in moist soil. Chlorfenvinphos and azinphos‐methyl and, in dry soil diazinon, were very much less toxic.