Observations on the Sensitivity of Some Australian Birds and the Feral Pig to the Organophosphorus Insecticide, Fenthion Ethyl.

Abstract

Some toxicological data are presented to show that 7 species of birds in Australia are highly sensitive to Lucijet [O,O-diethyl O-[3-methyl-4-(methylthio)phenyl] phosphorothioate], an insecticide that is used against blowflies [Lucilia cuprina], lice and keds on sheep. Data on the sensitivity of birds to fenthion (the methyl analogue of Lucijet) indicate that other species of birds in Australia could be highly sensitive to Lucijet. This is partly confirmed by the variety of species found dead where Lucijet has been used to kill animals regarded as pests (such as feral pigs). Poison 1080 (sodium fluoroacetate) is probably more effective against pigs and less hazardous to birdlife.