INFLUENCE OF ROUTE OF ENTRY ON TOXICITY OF POLYCYCLIC AROMATIC-HYDROCARBONS TO THE CRICKET (ACHETA-DOMESTICUS) (ORTHOPTERA GRYLLIDAE)

Several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been shown to be toxic to vertebrates by oral as well as dermal routes of administration; but few studies have been conducted in invertebrates to establish the effectiveness of these portals of entry. In this paper, acute and chronic toxicities of five PAHs (naphthalene, anthracene, benz left bracket a right bracket anthracene, pyrene, and benzo left bracket a right bracket pyrene) and an oxygenated PAH derivative (anthrone) were determined in a terrestrial insect, Acheta domesticus (L. ), with emphasis on the influence of route of entry on toxicity. Hexamethylphosphoric triamide (hempa) was included in the chronic tests since this chemosterilant is a useful reference compound for investigations of reproductive effects of chemicals in insects.