Bowman_1958_J.Econ.Entomol_51_838

The oxidative and hydrolytic metabolism of Thimet by plants, insects and mammals were further studied with chromatographic and radiotracer techniques. Bean plants, southern army worms (Prodenia eridania (Cram.)), albino rats, and a cow were utilized. The proportions of Thimet, oxidized derivatives, and hydrolysis products were determined with bean plants which had absorbed Thimet through their roots, with army worms which had fed on these plants, and with the feces of the army worms. Army worms were more efficient than bean plants in vivo in oxidation of the phosphorothioate group of Thimet and in hydrolysis of the oxidation products. With the mammals, the excretory products and tissue residues were investigated. Extreme difficulty was encountered in extraction of the radioactivity from the tissues of the treated rats and cow. The relative insect and mammalian toxicity and stability to hydrolysis by alkali are reported for Thimet and its oxidation products.