Organophosphate insecticide poisoning of Canada geese in the Texas panhandle
Journal of Field Ornithology
By: Donald H. White, C. A. Mitchell, L.D. Wynn, Edward L. Flickinger, and E. J. Kolbe
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Abstract
Sixteen hundred waterfowl, mostly Canada Geese, died near Etter, Texas, in late January 1981 from anticholinesterase poisoning. Winter wheat in the area of the die-off had been treated with organophosphate insecticides to control greenbugs. Cholinesterase (ChE) levels in brains of a sample of geese found dead were 75% below normal, enough to account for death (Ludke et al. 1975). The gastrointestinal (G I) tracts of geese found dead were packed with winter wheat; gas chromatography techniques identified parathion and methyl parathion in the GI tract contents. Residues of both chemicals were confirmed by mass spectrometry. We recommend that less toxic materials, such as malathion, be used on grain crops when waterfowl are in the vicinity of treatment.
Suggested Citation
White, D.H., Mitchell, C.A., Wynn, L., Flickinger, E.L., Kolbe, E.J., 1982, Organophosphate insecticide poisoning of Canada geese in the Texas panhandle: Journal of Field Ornithology, v. 53, no. 1, p. 22-27.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Organophosphate insecticide poisoning of Canada geese in the Texas panhandle |
| Series title | Journal of Field Ornithology |
| Volume | 53 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Year Published | 1982 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 6 p. |
| First page | 22 |
| Last page | 27 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Moore County |
| City | Etter |