Introduction

After various readings done, such as "Absence of toxicity of Bacillus Thuringiensis Pollen to Black Swallowtails Under Field Conditions" and the article, "Transgenic Pollen Harms Monarch Larvae, " it was apparent that pesticides, in many cases, negatively affect the subjects that they are not meant to harm. These organisms live in areas where the pesticide is used or in nearby areas. Some of the experiments discussed in these articles were actually done in field areas and in one article the experiment was done in a laboratory setting.  In these articles, it was the Monarch Larvae and the Black Swallowtail butterflies who were being studied.  In this project, our group studied the effects of Triazicide Pesticide on various subjects such as the bacteria Bacillus Cereus, the Daphnia Magna, the Drosophila Melanogaster (fruit fly), Bluelake beans, and corn.

Triazacide is part of the chemical group called pyrethroid also associated with the term Pyrethrins. Pyrethrins come from a distinct species of the Chrysanthemum plant*.  After the plant dries, the dust is taken.  Thirty percent of the active ingredient is usually left over and that is what is called the Pyrethrin I, II. Pyrethrins have four active ingredients such as Cinerin I and II and Jasmolin I and II*.  Pyrethrins are usually "for the purpose of controlling human lice, mosquitos, cockroaches, beetles and flies". They are also used to control insects in horticultural crops*. Natural Pyrethrins have the ability to immobilize an insect so that it can no longer move or fly away, but on their own, they do usually do not kill the insect.  Usually the effect only lasts for a while, but if organophosphates, carbamates, or synergists are added, this can insure a lethal dose so that the interaction is fatal*, but in our experiment, none of these are present.  Triazicide is labeled for use outdoor and lawn use, and spot treatment for ants and as a “barrier band treatment around house foundations”.   A typical application is 2 pounds for every 1000 square feet. The maximum application would be about six applications per year at 3 pounds per 1000 square feet.  In a letter from the New York State Department of Environmental conservation addressed to the United Industries Corporation, it is stated that there are concerns about the toxicity of Triazicide toward non-target organisms, but in this case, they are concerned about the potential risks of marine/estuarine organisms.  These fears have led them to ask of the Pesticide company to change their labeling to include that this pesticide should not be used in the State of New York and should not be used within 100 of a coastal marsh, or stream that drains directly into a coastal marsh. *

 The experiments, for our purposes, were conducted in a laboratory setting in a very detailed and meticulous manner.  In conclusion, in most cases, we found that the presence of pesticide did effect the subject in some way or another and in some more than the others. This has led our group to believe that Triazicide, in its recommended dilution, does, in general, affect non-target organisms in some cases and in other cases, it does not. Our group, in these series of experiments wanted to observe if the presence or absence of pesticide affects particular non-target organisms as seen in various characteristics such as ability to create more offspring or morbidity. 

* Information found at http://extoxnet.orst.edu/pips/pyrethri.htm

 * Information found at http://pmep.cce.cornell.edu/profiles/insect-mite/cadusafos-cyromazine/lambda-cyhalothrin/lam-cyhalothrin_letter_403.html