Field performance of dieldrin/resin wettable powders on sorptive mud surface.

Recent field experiments on the relative performance of dieldrin and dieldrin/resin wettable powders on sorptive mud surface have not confirmed the promising results obtained with the latter products in earlier laboratory tests. In view of this a renewed investigation into the possible factors governing the performance of such products was considered desirable, and further laboratory and field experiments were carried out in co-operation with the Colonial Pesticides Research Unit at Arusha, Tanganyika.The results of these experiments have given a better understanding of the factors involved, and a coherent interpretation of the differences in performance shown by various products under different conditions. The main factors to be taken into account appear to be: mobility of the insects during exposure, as influenced by insect species and exposure conditions; inherent toxicity of the dieldrin/resin particles; and the average relative humidity inside the experimental huts.The sorption phenomenon can be demonstrated in the field, but in view of the humidity conditions it does not seem likely that it will interfere seriously with practical mosquito control. A potential critical condition might be prevalent only in areas where the presence of sorptive mud is coupled with long periods of low humidity inside the huts, but further experimental data are necessary to confirm this.