Vol. 78 2026

ARTICLES

Acute Soil Toxicity of a Commercial Lambda-cyhalothrin–Pirimicarb Formulation to the Harvester Ant Messor barbarus

Naila Maizi1,2,*, Naziha Lamri1,2, Amine Abdelli1,2, Amina Rahmouni3,4, Taous Bachiri2, Karim Belhocine5, Wiam Mefti2 & Fadila Khaldi6

More info

*1Laboratory for the Management and Valorization of Natural Resources and Quality Assurance, Akli Mohand Oulhadj University, Bouira 10000, Algeria; E-mails: n.maizi@univ-bouira.dz, n.lamri@univ-bouira.dz, a.abdelli@univ-bouira.dz
2Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences and Earth Sciences, Akli Mohand Oulhadj University, Bouira 10000, Algeria; E-mails: T.bachiri@univ-bouira.dz, meftiwiam@gmail.com
3Laboratory of Eco-Biology Animals, Higher Normal School of Kouba, Bachir El Ibrahimi, Kouba, Algeria; E-mail: Amina.rahmouni@edu.ensa.dz
4Department of Pedology, Higher National School of Agronomy, Hassan Badi El Harrach, Algeria
5Department of Marine Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Chadli Bendjedid University, El Tarf 36000, Algeria; E-mail: karimbelhocine79@gmail.com
6Department de Biology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, University, Mohamed-Chérif Messaadia, Souk Ahras 41000, Algeria; E-mail: f.khaldi@univ-soukahras.dz

https://doi.org/10.71424/azb78.1.003086

PDF

Abstract

Soil ants play key functional roles in agroecosystems, yet their sensitivity to insecticide applications remains insufficiently documented. This study evaluated the acute toxicity of a commercial formulation containing lambda-cyhalothrin (5%) and pirimicarb (10%) on the harvester ant Messor barbarus under controlled laboratory conditions in the Bouira region (Algeria). Soil physicochemical properties were characterized to contextualize exposure conditions.
Ants were exposed for 7 and 14 days to treated soil containing 0.10, 0.22, 0.90, and 1.80 mg/kg dry soil. Mortality increased significantly with concentration and exposure duration, with a significant concentration × time interaction (p < 0.001). After 7 days, the concentration–response model was significant, and the LC₅₀ was estimated at 0.128 mg/kg dry soil (95% CI: 0.090-0.166). After 14 days, mortality approached saturation across most concentrations, preventing reliable estimation of an LC₅₀ value. Complete mortality occurred at
≥ 0.90 mg/kg following prolonged exposure. In addition to lethal effects, marked behavioral alterations, including immobility and impaired social interactions, were observed.
These findings indicate a high sensitivity of M. barbarus to this commercial formulation under laboratory conditions and emphasize the importance of exposure duration in shaping toxic responses. Further investigations under field conditions are needed to assess potential ecological consequences for soil ant populations.

Key words

acute toxicity, agroecosystem, bioindicator, lambda-cyhalothrin, pirimicarb, Messor barbarus

How to Cite
Maizi N., Lamri N., Abdelli A., Rahmouni A., Bachiri T., Belhocine K., Mefti W. & Khaldi F. 2026. Acute Soil Toxicity of a Commercial Lambda-cyhalothrin–Pirimicarb Formulation to the Harvester Ant Messor barbarus. Acta zoologica bulgarica 78.

References

  1. Al-Assiuty A. N. I., Khalil M. A., Ismail A. W. A., van Straalen N. M. & Ageba M. F. 2014. Effects of fungicides and biofungicides on population density and community structure of soil oribatid mites. Science of the Total Environment 466-467: 412-420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.07.063
  2. Arias-Estévez M., López-Periago E., Martínez-Carballo E., Simal-Gándara J., Mejuto J. C. & García-Río L. 2008. The mobility and degradation of pesticides in soils and the pollution of groundwater resources. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 123 (4): 247-260.
  3. Ayad-Mokhtari N. 2012. Identification et dosage des pesticides dans l’agriculture et les problèmes d’environnement liés. Mémoire de Magister, Université d’Oran 1, Département de Chimie Organique (Environnement).
  4. Barech G. & Doumandji S. 2002. Clef pédagogique de détermination des fourmis (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Annales de l’Institut National Agronomique, El Harrach 3: 1-22.
  5. Barech G., Khaldi M., Espadaler X. & Cagniant H. 2017. Le genre Monomorium (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) au Maghreb (Afrique du Nord): Clé d’identification, avec la redescription de Monomorium major Bernard, 1953 et nouvelles citations pour l’Algérie. Boletín de la Sociedad Entomológica Aragonesa 61: 151-157.
  6. Bestelmeyer B. T., Agosti D., Alonso L. E., Brandão C. R. F., Brown W. L. Jr., Delabie J. H. C. & Silverman J. 2000. Field techniques for the study of ground-dwelling ants. In: Agosti D., Majer J. D., Alonso L. E. & Schultz T. R. (Eds.). Ants: Standard methods for measuring and monitoring biodiversity. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press, pp. 122-144.
  7. Bertrand C., Aviron S., Pelosi C., Faburé J., Le Perchec S., Mamy L. & Rault M. 2025. Effects of plant protection products on ecosystem functions provided by terrestrial invertebrates. Environmental Science and Pollution Research International 32 (6): 2956-2974. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-34534-w
  8. Bettiche F., Chaïb W., Halfadji A., Mancer H., Bengouga K. & Grünberger O. 2021. The human health problems of authorized agricultural pesticides: The Algerian case. Microbial Biosystems 5 (2): 69-82. https://doi.org/10.21608/mb.2021.71824.1031
  9. Bettiche F., Grünberger O., Chaïb W., Mancer H., Bengouga K. & Belhamra, M. 2019. Origins of pesticide residues in agricultural soils in Biskra (South-East Algeria): Survey vs. detection. Journal Algérien des Régions Arides 13 (2): 12-29.
  10. Bielza P., Espinosa P. J., Quinto V., Abellán J. & Contreras J. 2007. Synergism studies with binary mixtures of pyrethroid, carbamate and organophosphate insecticides on Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande). Pest Management Science 631): 84-89. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.1328
  11. Blasco C. & Picó Y. 2009. Prospects for combining chemical and biological methods for integrated environmental assessment. TrAC – Trends in Analytical Chemistry 28 (6): 745-757. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2009.04.010
  12. Bonnet J., Pennetier C., Duchon S., Lapied B. & Corbel V. 2009. Multi-function oxidases are responsible for the synergistic interactions occurring between repellents and insecticides in mosquitoes. Parasites & Vectors 2: 17. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-3305-2-17
  13. Buol S. W., Southard R. J., Graham R. C. & McDaniel P. A. 2011. Soil genesis and classification. 6th edition. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell. 543 p
  14. Burr S. A. & Ray, D. E. 2004. Structure–activity and interaction effects of 14 different pyrethroids on voltage-gated chloride ion channels. Toxicological Sciences 77 (2): 341-346. https://doi.org/10.1093/toxsci/kfh027
  15. Cagniant H. 1968. Liste préliminaire de fourmis forestières d’Algérie, résultats obtenus de 1966 à 1968. Bulletin de la Société d’Histoire Naturelle de Toulouse 104 (1-2): 138-146.
  16. Cagniant H. 1969. Deuxième liste de fourmis d’Algérie, récoltées principalement en forêt (1re partie). Bulletin de la Société d’Histoire Naturelle de Toulouse 105: 405-430.
  17. Cagniant H. 1973. Les peuplements de fourmis des forêts algériennes. Ecologie biocénotique, essai biologique. Toulouse: Université Paul Sabatier. 464 p.
  18. Cagniant H. 2005. Les Crematogaster du Maroc. Clé de détermination et commentaires. Orsis 20: 7-12.
  19. Cagniant H. & Espadaler X. 1997a. Les Leptothorax, Epimyrma et Chalepoxenus du Maroc (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Clé et catalogue des espèces. Annales de la Société Entomologique de France (N.S.) 33: 259-284.
  20. Cagniant H. & Espadaler X. 1997b. Le genre Messor au Maroc (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Annales de la Société Entomologique de France (N.S.) 33: 419-434.
  21. Calvet R., Barriuso E., Bedos C., Benoit P., Charnay M. P. & Coquet, Y. 2005. Les pesticides dans le sol : conséquences agronomiques et environnementales. Paris: Éditions France Agricole.
  22. Cao Y., Ibáñez Navarro A., Perrella L. & Cedergreen N. 2021. Can organophosphates and carbamates cause synergisms by inhibiting esterases responsible for biotransformation of pyrethroids? Environmental Science & Technology 55 (3): 1585-1593. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c04493
  23. Chagnon M., Kreutzweiser D., Mitchell E. A., Morrissey C. A., Noome D. A. & Van Der Sluijs J. P. 2015. Risks of large-scale use of systemic insecticides to ecosystem functioning and services. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 22: 119-134. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-014-3277-x
  24. Chandra M. & Shrivastava A. K. 2024. Soil textural analysis by using USDA soil texture triangle. International Journal of Recent Research and Review 17 (3): 23-27.
  25. Choe D. H. & Rust M. K. 2008. Horizontal transfer of insecticides in laboratory colonies of the Argentine ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 101 (4): 1154-1158. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/101.4.1154
  26. Choi J. Y., Jeong S. Y. & Kim J. S. 2024. Assessment of lambda cyhalothrin and spinetoram in controlling Spodoptera litura and their impacts on non-target organisms. Insects 15 (4): 351. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15040351
  27. Corbel V., Raymond M., Chandre F., Darriet F. & Hougard J. M. 2004. Efficacy of insecticide mixtures against larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) (Diptera: Culicidae) resistant to pyrethroids and carbamates. Pest Management Science 60 (4): 375-380. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.809
  28. Corbel V., Stankiewicz M., Bonnet J., Grolleau F., Hougard J. M. & Lapied B. 2006. Synergism between insecticides permethrin and propoxur occurs through activation of presynaptic muscarinic negative feedback of acetylcholine release in the insect central nervous system. Neurotoxicology 27 (4): 508-519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuro.2006.01.011
  29. De Almeida T., Mesléard F., Santonja M., Gros R., Dutoit T. & Blight O. 2020a. Above and below-ground effects of an ecosystem engineer ant in Mediterranean dry grasslands. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences 287 (1935): 20201840. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2020.1840
  30. De Almeida T., Blight O., Mesléard F., Bulot A., Provost E. & Dutoit T. 2020b. Harvester ants as ecological engineers for Mediterranean grassland restoration: Impacts on soil and vegetation. Biological Conservation 245: 108547. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108547
  31. Del Toro I., Ribbons R. R. & Pelini S. L. 2012. The little things that run the world revisited: A review of ant mediated ecosystem services and disservices (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Myrmecological News 17: 133-146.
  32. Djènontin A., Chabi J., Baldet T., Agossou C., Ménan H., Chandre F. & Corbel V. 2009. Managing insecticide resistance in malaria vectors by combining carbamate-treated plastic wall sheeting and pyrethroid-treated bed nets. Malaria Journal 8: 233. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2875-8-233
  33. Farenhorst A. 2006. Importance of soil organic matter fractions in soil-landscape and regional assessments of pesticide sorption and leaching in soil. Soil Science Society of America Journal 70 (3): 1005-1012.
  34. Farji Brener A. G. & Werenkraut V. 2017. The effects of ant nests on soil fertility and plant performance: A meta-analysis. Journal of Animal Ecology 86(4): 866-877. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.12672
  35. Field L. M. 2017. Voltage-gated sodium channels as targets for pyrethroid insecticides. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology 140: 68-74.
  36. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations / World Health Organization (FAO/WHO). 2004. Pirimicarb. JMPR Evaluations 2004, Part II – Toxicological. In Pesticide residues in food. 2004: Toxicological evaluations. FAO Plant Production and Protection Paper No. 181. Rome.
  37. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). 2023. Pesticides use and trade 1990-2022. Rome, Italy: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
  38. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2024. Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) – Pesticides Use database. Rome: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
  39. Frank D. F., Miller G. W., Harvey D. J., Brander S. M., Geist J., Connon R. E. & Lein P. J. 2018. Bifenthrin causes transcriptomic alterations in mTOR and ryanodine receptor-dependent signaling and delayed hyperactivity in developing zebrafish (Danio rerio). Aquatic Toxicology 200: 50-61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.03.002
  40. Gaouar Z. L., Chefirat B., Saadi R., Djelad S. & Rezk-Kallah H. 2021. Pesticide residues in tomato crops in Western Algeria. Food Additives & Contaminants: Part B 14 (4): 281-286.
  41. Garud A., Pawar S., Patil M. S. & Patil M. S. 2024. A scientific review of pesticides: Classification, toxicity, health effects, sustainability, and environmental impact. Cureus 16 (8): 1-15.
  42. Gestel C. A. M., Mommer L., Montanarella L., Pieper S., Coulson M., Toschki A., Rutgers M., Focks A. & Römbke J. 2021. Soil biodiversity: State-of-the-art and possible implementation in chemical risk assessment. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management 17 (3): 541-551.
  43. Gunstone T., Cornelisse T., Klein K., Dubey A. & Donley N. 2021. Pesticides and soil invertebrates: A hazard assessment. Frontiers in Environmental Science 9: 643847.
  44. Hayasaka D., Hiraiwa M. K., Maebara Y. & Seko Y. 2022. Acute toxicity of fipronil to an invasive ant, Lepisiota frauenfeldi. Journal of Pesticide Science 47 (4): 208-212.
  45. Hodoșan C., Gîrd C. E., Ghica M. V., Dinu Pîrvu C. E., Nistor L., Bărbuică I. S., Marin Ș. C., Mihalache A. & Popa L. 2023. Pyrethrins and pyrethroids: A comprehensive review of naturally occurring compounds and their synthetic derivatives. Plants 12 (23): 4022.
  46. Hölldobler B. & Wilson E. O. 1990. The ants. Cambridge, MA: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press. 732 p.
  47. Insecticide Resistance Action Committee (IRAC). 2024. Pirimicarb – Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (Group 1A).
  48. Joimel S., Chassain J., Artru M. & Faburé J. 2022. Collembola are among the most pesticide sensitive soil fauna groups: A meta-analysis. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 41 (10): 2333-2341.
  49. Kammenga J. E., Dallinger R., Donker M. H., Köhler H. R., Simonsen, V., Triebskorn, R. & Weeks, J. M. 2000. Biomarkers in terrestrial invertebrates for ecotoxicological soil risk assessment. Reviews of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 164: 93-147.
  50. Lamotte M. & Bourlière F. 1969. Problèmes d’écologie: L’échantillonnage des peuplements animaux des milieux terrestres. Paris: Masson et Cie. 314 p.
  51. Liang Y., Liang M., Chen H., Hong J., Song Y., Yue K. & Lu Y. 2018. The effect of botanical pesticides azadirachtin, celangulin, and veratramine exposure on an invertebrate species Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 159: 258-264.
  52. Lilly D. G., Latham S. L., Webb C. E. & Doggett S. L. 2016. Cuticle thickening in a pyrethroid-resistant strain of the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius L. (Hemiptera: Cimicidae). PLoS ONE 11 (4): e0153302.
  53. Lobry de Bruyn L. A. & Conacher A. J. 1994. The effect of ant biopores on water infiltration in soils in undisturbed bushland and in farmland in a semi-arid environment. Pedobiologia 38: 193-207.
  54. McGinley J., Healy M. G., Ryan P. C., O’Driscoll H., Mellander P. E., Morrison L. & Siggins A. 2023. Impact of historical legacy pesticides on achieving legislative goals in Europe. Science of the Total Environment 873: 162312.
  55. Mendarte-Alquisira C., Alarcón A. & Ferrera-Cerrato R. 2024. Growth, tolerance, and enzyme activities of Trichoderma strains in culture media added with a pyrethroids-based insecticide. Revista Argentina de Microbiología: 1-8.
  56. Moumene M., Hachemaoui Benmouhoub K., Mouhoub Sayah C., Kendi S., Djoudad Kadji H., Yesguer S. & Habold C. 2024. Effects of long-term chlorpyrifos exposure on moulting and growth of Armadillo officinalis (Duméril, 1816) (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea). Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology 27: 102190.
  57. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). 2024. PubChem compound summary for CID 4847, Pirimicarb.
  58. Pantoja-Pulido K. D., Rodríguez J., Isaza-Martínez J. H., Gutiérrez-Cabrera M., Colmenares-Dulcey A. J. & Montoya-Lerma J. 2023. Insecticidal and cholinesterase activity of dichloromethane extracts of Tithonia diversifolia on Atta cephalotes worker ants (Formicidae: Myrmicinae). Insects 14 (9): 791.
  59. Pelosi C., Bertrand C., Daniele G., Coeurdassier M., Benoit P., Nélieu S., Lafay F., Bretagnolle V., Gaba S. & Vulliet E. 2021. Residues of currently used pesticides in soils and earthworms: A silent threat? Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 305: 107167.
  60. Poole N. D. & Schaffer D. H. 2024. Pyrethrin and pyrethroid toxicity. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.
  61. Robertson S. 2011. Direct estimation of organic matter by loss on ignition: Methods. SFU Soil Science Lab, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, Canada.
  62. Schläppi D., Kettler N., Straub L., Glauser G. & Neumann P. 2020. Long-term effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on ants. Communications Biology 3 (1): 335.
  63. Silva A. N., de Oliveira J. H. & Santos M. S. 2023. Behavioral and oxidative stress effects of deltamethrin exposure in leaf-cutting ants Atta sexdens. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 257: 114974.
  64. Skaldina O., Peräniemi S. & Sorvari J. 2018. Ants and their nests as indicators for industrial heavy metal contamination. Environmental Pollution 240: 574-581.
  65. Soudani N., Belhamra M. & Toumi K. 2020. Pesticide use and risk perceptions for human health and the environment: A case study of Algerian farmers. Ponte 76 (5): 102-114.
  66. Spark K. M. & Swift R. S. 2002. Effect of soil composition and dissolved organic matter on pesticide sorption. Science of the Total Environment 298 (1-3): 147-161.
  67. United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Science Division Staff. 2017. Soil Survey Manual (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Handbook No. 18). Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office. 487 p.
  68. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2020a. Proposed interim registration review decision for lambda- and gamma-cyhalothrin. Office of Pesticide Programs. Washington, D.C.
  69. United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2020b. Pirimicarb: Human health and ecological risk assessment. Office of Pesticide Programs, Washington, D.C.
  70. Wang L., Zhao F., Tao Q., Li J., Xu Y., Li Z. & Lu Y. 2020. Toxicity and sublethal effect of triflumezopyrim against red imported fire ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Economic Entomology 113 (4): 1753-1760.
  71. Ward P. S. 2014. The phylogeny and evolution of ants. Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics 45: 23-43.
  72. Wiezik M., Svitok M., Wieziková A. & Kopecký M. 2013. Spatiotemporal changes in ant communities in temperate grasslands: Indicator value of Formicidae. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 185 (9): 7131-7143.
  73. Wills B. D. & Landis D. A. 2018. The role of ants in north temperate grasslands: A review. Oecologia 186: 323-338.
  74. Wood O. R., Hanrahan S., Coetzee M., Koekemoer L. L. & Brooke B. D. 2010. Cuticle thickening associated with pyrethroid resistance in the major malaria vector Anopheles funestus Giles (Diptera: Culicidae). Parasites & Vectors 3: 67.
  75. Yahouédo G. A., Chandre F., Rossignol M., Ginibre C., Balabanidou V., Garcia Albeniz Mendez N., Pigeon O., Vontas J. & Cornelie S. 2017. Contributions of cuticle permeability and enzyme detoxification to pyrethroid resistance in the major malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Scientific Reports 7: 11091.
  76. Zhu Q., Yang Y., Zhong Y., Lao Z., O’Neill P., Hong D., Zhang K. & Zhao S. 2020. Synthesis, insecticidal activity, resistance, photodegradation and toxicity of pyrethroids: A review. Chemosphere 254: 126779.