Abstract
THE discovery in recent years of a new class of insecticides has given man an advantage over his insect enemies such as he has never before enjoyed. Although these materials kill insects by contact, they possess a stability and persistence which confer a protective effect far exceeding that of any previously known contact insecticide. Best known among them is D. D. T., a substance the properties of which are so remarkable that it has been accorded the doubtful honour of becoming 'news'. Very little of the vast amount of experimental work done has yet been published, and the door has thus been opened wide to the wildest speculation and exaggeration. A meeting of the Association of Applied Biologists on October 5 sought to adjust the outlook at least upon some of the agricultural uses of D. D. T. by bringing together workers qualified to speak on original investigations. Mr. C. T. Gimingham, of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Plant Pathology Laboratory, introduced the proceedings with a plea for a restrained and balanced approach. The peculiar circumstances in which D. D. T. was introduced had led to intensive investigations on an unprecedented scale. The substance had proved to be of inestimable value and, by controlling disease-carrying insects, had probably been a major factor in the success of several Allied campaigns. Unfortunately, much of the resulting publicity had not been in the highest tradition of scientific accuracy. Contrary to the popular view of D. D. T. as a cure-all, it had recently been reported in the United States1 that while it excelled the commmonly used insecticide against some thirty insect species it was only about equal against nineteen and was inferior against fourteen. Most of the work so far had been exploratory, and increased knowledge of dosage, timing and compounding would doubtless lead to improved performance in many cases. At present little was known as to which of the variety of possible forms of application was most effective and safest for particular purposes. A special problem in agriculture was the risk of harmful effects upon beneficial insects. Injury to birds and fishes also might follow widespread use over large areas. There appeared to be little danger to warm-blooded animals, but more information was required about cumulative effects. D. D. T., said Mr. Gimingham, was of such outstanding interest and promise that it would be peculiarly unfortunate if its future were prejudiced by misuse in the early days.
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References
Soap, 21, No. 4>, 139 (1945).
The Grower, 23, 430 (1945).
Nature, 155, 394 (1945).
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SHAW, H. SOME USES OF D. D. T. IN AGRICULTURE. Nature 157, 285–287 (1946). https://doi.org/10.1038/157285a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/157285a0