Organophosphate insecticide (famphur) topically applied to cattle kills magpies and hawks
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Abstract
A systematic field study of a black-billed magpie (Pica pica) population revealed that magpies and red-tailed hawks (Buteo jamaicensis) were killed by famphur (=famophos, Warbex®) used as a pouron to control cattle warbles (Hypoderma sp.). Magpie mortality began on treatment day and continued for more than 3 months (38 found dead); mortality peaked between Day 5 and Day 13. Estimates of magpie density (based on transects) decreased in both the control and treatment areas, but the decrease was greater in the treatment area. A red-tailed hawk found dead on Day 10 had eaten a famphur-contaminated magpie. Another red-tailed hawk was found alive but immobilized, and a third died outside the study area. Brain cholinesterase (ChE) activity was 70-92% depressed in all dead birds examined; famphur residues were detected in all 17 magpies and the 2 hawks analyzed. The amount of famphur obtained by the dead magpies was estimated at 5.2-6.1 mg/kg (based on residue concentrations in the gizzard), which was above the acute oral LD50 for several bird species. The cow hair portion (12%) of the pooled gizzard contents from 13 other dead magpies produced extremely high famphur residues (4,600 ppm). The residues persisted on cattle hair for more than 90 days post-treatment. Magpie populations in the far western states declined between 1968 and 1979, which corresponds with widespread use of famphur, although other factors may be involved.
Suggested Citation
Henny, C.J., Blus, L.J., Kolbe, E.J., Fitzner, R.E., 1985, Organophosphate insecticide (famphur) topically applied to cattle kills magpies and hawks: Journal of Wildlife Management, v. 49, no. 3, p. 648-658, https://doi.org/10.2307/3801689.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Organophosphate insecticide (famphur) topically applied to cattle kills magpies and hawks |
| Series title | Journal of Wildlife Management |
| DOI | 10.2307/3801689 |
| Volume | 49 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Year Published | 1985 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Wiley |
| Contributing office(s) | Patuxent Wildlife Research Center |
| Description | 11 p. |
| First page | 648 |
| Last page | 658 |
| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Benton County |
| City | Benton City |
| Other Geospatial | Yakima River |