Stenersen_1980_Pest.Sci_11_396

Uptake and excretion of the two carbamates, oxamyl and carbofuran, which differ greatly in their toxicity to earthworms, were studied in one worm species; the metabolism of oxamyl was studied in six worm species. Carbofuran was taken up by the worms at a much higher rate (13 times greater) than oxamyl when the worms were dipped in aqueous solutions of the pesticides. The relative rates of elimination were the same (half-life 2.5 h). Metabolism of oxamyl was low in all the earthworms studied. The low rate of uptake may therefore be the main factor for the safety of oxamyl in respect of these important non-target organisms.