SOME EFFECTS OF THE FORMAMIDINE PESTICIDE CHLORDIMEFORM ON THE BEHAVIOR OF MICE

Abstract

Three experiments were performed to determine the behavioral effects of acutely administered chlordimeform [insecticide, acaricide] (1-56 mg/kg, i.p.) in male mice. In experiment 1, 30 and 56 mg/kg decreased the amount of time spent investigating a female conspecific. In experiment 2, large dosages of chlordimeform (30 and 56 mg/kg) decreased vertically directed activity (rearing) to a proportionately greater extent than horizontally directed activity (ambulation). In experiment 3, chlordimeform produced conditioned flavor aversions that were intermediate at 10 mg/kg and maximal at 30 mg/kg. In experiment 4, the LD50 for chlordimeform was 95.6 mg/kg. Behavioral effects were obtained at dosages that were 10-30% LD50.