Effects of the organophosphorus pesticide fenitrothion on behavior and reproduction in zebra finches.

Activity was significantly altered in zebra finch pairs orally dosed with fenitrothion insecticide at rates of 1.04 and 3.80 mg/kg. Both the level and the dirunal pattern of activity were affected. Recovery of normal activity required 1-2 days, depending on the dosage administered. Fenitrothion had only a slight effect on reproduction when parents were dosed at the egg-laying stage of the breeding cycle. The implications of these results for the interpretation of field monitoring studies are discussed.