Reproduction of the dung beetle (Copris tripartitus) in the dung of cattle treated with cis-cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos

Abstract Fresh dung was collected from untreated cattle and cattle dosed with a spray-on formulation of high cis-cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos (2.1 g/cow), on days 1, 3, 5 and 7 post-treatment. The survival and reproduction of the dung beetle Copris tripartitus Waterhouse, when given this dung was assessed. Residues of high cis-cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos in dung collected 1 day after treatment were sufficient to inhibit oviposition by female C. tripartitus . However, there was no significant effect on egg-laying in dung collected at days 3, 5 or 7 days post-treatment. In a second generation of C. tripartitus , derived from beetles fed the dung from treated animals, residues in dung collected both 1 and 3 days after treatment were sufficient to inhibit oviposition, and residues in dung collected 1 day after treatment inhibited dung consumption by newly emerged adults of C. tripartitus . It is concluded that dung voided by cattle treated with a spray-on formulation of high cis-cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos have toxic lethal effects for 1 day post-treatment and sub-lethal toxic effects on ovarian condition and brood-ball production in dung voided at 1 and 3 days post-treatment. The potential ecotoxic effects of these compounds are discussed in terms of dung beetle activity and strategies for parasite control of cattle in the Korean environment.