Fastac Duo Technical Manual - Pest Genie

By monitoring the emergence of wasps from the
eggs and then their ability to parasitise fresh
supplies of eggs, the test investigates the eff e c t
of the chemicals on the ‘beneficial capacity’ of
Trichogramma rather than simply on its surv i v a l .
The effect of FA S TAC Duo was compared
with that of endosulfan. FA S TAC Duo had
only a minor effect on the emergence of
the parasites and on their beneficial
c a p a c i t y, where endosulfan was highly
toxic to the wasps. FA S TAC Duo can
therefore be classified as harmless to
preadult Tr i c h o g r a m m a .
A five-year study along with other field trials data
reveal no evidence that FA S TA C Duo t r e a t m e n t s
had any long term adverse effects on any of the
beneficial taxa studied. The major beneficial groups
included parasitic wasps, and the import a n t
p r e d a t o ry groups included ground beetle
(C a r a b i d a e ), rove beetles (S t a p h y l i n i d a e ) a n d
money spiders (Linyphiidae). G e n e r a l l y, the other
insecticides used in the trials had more effect than
FA S TAC on beneficial foliage dwelling art h r o p o d s .
Aquatic Organisms
Tests with the invertebrate zooplankter, D a p h n i a
m a g n a , and the rainbow trout, O n c h o r h y n c h u s
mykiss, in pristine water showed that, as expected,
FA S TA CDuo has a high level of acute toxicity under
l a b o r a t o ry conditions. This high toxicity under
l a b o r a t o ry conditions is common to all pyrethroid
insecticides and indicates potential hazards.
Further studies were set up to find out how serious
these potential hazards might be in practice and
to investigate the likelihood of long term problems
or of any sub-lethal effects.
Both the fish and Daphnia test showed
there were no significant chronic or
sub-lethal toxic effects from prolonged
exposure to FA S TAC Duo.
The limited and transient nature of FA S TAC Duo’s
e ffects on invertebrate populations when used under
commercial conditions contrast with its high level of
acute toxicity in the laboratory.
Analysis of the pond and ditch water during the
small plot experiments and commercial scale aerial
spraying trials showed that concentrations of
FA S TAC Duo in the water were always lower than
early predictions had suggested. The hydrophobic
nature of alpha-cypermethrin and its very low water
s o l u b i l i t y, coupled with the very low application
rates, results in low concentrations of FA S TAC Duo in
the body of the water. In addition, alphac
y p e rmethrin molecules are adsorbed strongly onto
the surface of organic matter in ponds and
w a t e rways. This, and natural degradation, tends to
lower the concentration in the water even furt h e r.
S u m m a ry
Environmentally FA S TA C Duo has shown that
despite its high level of activity against pests, when
used as recommended, it generally has little effect on
non target species.
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