Due to the increasing resistance demonstrated by insects to conventional insecticides, the need for compounds with novel modes of action is becoming more urgent. Also, the discovery and production of new insecticides is vital as regulations and restrictions on conventional insecticides become increasingly stringent (Casida and Quistad 1998). Research in this area requires screening of many candidate compounds which is costly and time-consuming. The goal of this research was to produce in vitro insect neurons from Sf21 insect ovarian cell lines, which could lead to new high throughput screening methods and a way to mass produce insect material for basic research. This study used a culture of Sf21 cells and a mixture of differentiation agents to produce viable neuron-like cells. In the presence of the molting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE), or insulin, in the growth medium, Sf21 cells began to express neuronal morphology, or the production of elongated, axon-like processes within 2-3 days. Maximal differentiation occurred when in the presence of 42 μM 20-HE or 10 μM insulin. Effects were maximal on day 2 for 20-E and day 3 for insulin. Insulin was more potent at day 2 for inducing differentiation (EC₅₀ = 247 nM) than 20-HE (EC₅₀ = 13 μM). In combination, 20-HE and insulin produced apparent synergistic effects on differentiation. Caffeine, a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant, inhibited induction of elongated processes by 20-HE and/or insulin. Caffeine was a potent inhibitor of 42 μM 20-HE, with an IC50 of 9 nM, and the inhibition was incomplete, resulting in about one quarter of the differentiated cells remaining, even at high concentrations (up to 1 mM). The ability to induce a neural phenotype simplifies studies with of insect cells, compared to either the use of primary nervous tissue or genetic engineering techniques. The presence of ion channels or receptors in the differentiated cells remains to be determined. If they are present, high throughput screening for new insecticides will be accelerated and made more economical by the utility of this method. / Master of Science

La mouche charbonneuse, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) est une des espèces les plus nuisibles en élevage. Elle est responsable de pertes directes et indirectes : piqûres douloureuses, spoliation sanguine et transmission d'agents pathogènes. Afin de mieux étudier ce parasite, nous avons mis en place un élevage dans notre laboratoire comprenant deux souches issues de stomoxes sauvages capturés respectivement à l'ENVT et dans un élevage bovin biologique. Le protocole d'élevage est décrit. Nous avons comparé les caractères morphologiques externes des différents stades évolutifs obtenus à partir de notre élevage aux données bibliographiques. Nous avons montré les capacités de transmission mécanique par S. calcitrans de Besnoitia besnoiti, agent de la besnoitiose bovine. Nous avons mis en évidence également des différences de sensibilité entre les deux souches à six insecticides dues probablement à une exposition plus grande à ces derniers de la souche ENVT / Stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) is one of the most commonly pest of livestock with direct and indirect sides effects: painful bites, blood loss and transmission of pathogens. To better study this parasite, we have established two strains in our laboratory isolated from two geographical origins: the National Veterinary School of Toulouse and an organic cattle farm. We described the rearing protocol in the laboratory. We compared the external morphological characters of the different developmental instars observed in our rearing to data literature. We have demonstrated the ability of S. calcitrans to mechanically transmit Besnoitia besnoiti, responsible of the cattle besnoitiosis. We have also highlighted differences in susceptibility between the two strains to six insecticides probably due to records of higher exposure to them for the ENVT strain

Durant leur cycle de vie, les insectes doivent faire face à différents perturbateurs pour réussir à survivre et à se reproduire. L’utilisation de plus en plus répandue des insecticides néonicotinoïdes, en raison de leur grande efficacité, a conduit à l’accumulation de résidus dans l’environnement. Ceux-ci ont certainement un effet additif toxique sur les insectes cibles. Cependant il a été montré que ces résidus peuvent aussi avoir un effet positif non désiré sur certains traits de vie des insectes ravageurs.Dans ma thèse, j’ai étudié les effets d’un insecticide néonicotinoïde sur le système olfactif d’un insecte ravageur, la noctuelle Agrotis ipsilon. Nos résultats montrent que l’exposition aigüe des mâles à des faibles doses de clothianidine modifie leurs réponses comportementales à la phéromone sexuelle: une baisse est observée à la dose 0,25 ng/insecte (<DL0) alors que la doses de 10 ng (DL20) induit une augmentation de la réponse chez les adultes naïfs ou pré-exposés à la phéromone. Cet effet biphasique à faible et très faible dose s’apparente à un effet hormétique et les modifications observées sont corrélées avec des changements de sensibilité du système olfactif central et non périphérique. Nous émettons l’hypothèse que la clothianidine agirait sur l’expression des sous-unités des récepteurs nicotiniques pour lesquels elle joue le rôle d’agoniste, changeant leur affinité pour l’acétylcholine et perturbant ou améliorant la transmission synaptique des signaux sensoriels selon la dose. Nos résultats montrent que la prise en compte d’effets de doses sublétales d’insecticides est essentielle non seulement pour les insectes non cibles, mais aussi des insectes cibles. / Insects face a multitude of environmental stresses, which they have to bypass in order to survive and reproduce. The extensive use of neonicotinoid insecticides, because of their high efficiency, leads to the accumulation of residues in the environment, which can have an additive toxic effect on target insects. However, such residues can also have unwanted positive effects on certain life traits of pest insects. In my thesis I studied the effects of a neonicotinoid insecticide on the olfactory system of the pest insect Agrotis ipsilon. Our results show that acute oral treatments of males with low doses of clothianidin modify their behavioural responses to the sex pheromone: a treatment with 0.25 ng/moth (<LD0) induces a decrease of pheromone responses whereas intoxication with 10 ng/moth (LD20) leads to an increase in the capacity of naive and pre-exposed males to locate a pheromone source as compared to controls. We propose that this biphasic effect, with low dose stimulation and very low dose inhibition is an hormeticlike effect, that is correlated with sensitivity changes within the central, but not the peripheral olfactory system. We hypothesize that the observed modifications might be due to a differential effect of clothianidin on the expression of different subunits of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which might change the affinity of the receptors for acetylcholine, and thus disturb or improve synaptic transmission of sensory signals as a function of the insecticide dose. Our results show that effects of sublethal doses of insecticides need to be taken into account not only for non-target, but also for target insects when evaluating pest management strategies.

L'étude du comportement dynamique des substances actives pendant l'épandage de produits insecticides ménagers commerciaux dans les atmosphères intérieures nécessite le développement et l'adaptation de procédures analytiques de mesure en ligne ayant une résolution temporelle élevée. Un HS-PTR-MS et un HR-ToF-AMS ont par conséquent été utilisés pour mesurer les contaminants à la fois en phase gazeuse et particulaire. Les substances actives ciblées par cette étude appartiennent à la famille des pyréthrinoïdes, présentes dans différentes formulations commerciales du type diffuseurs électriques et sprays aérosols, qui ont été appliqués dans une pièce d'étude simulant une atmosphère réelle dans la maison expérimentale MARIA du Centre Scientifique et Technique du Bâtiment. Les résultats de ces mesures montrent des pics de concentration compris entre 1,5 et 8,5 µg.m-3, après 8 heures de branchement des diffuseurs électriques. Les pics de concentration des substances actives après l'application des sprays peuvent atteindre plusieurs dizaines de µg.m-3. La ventilation et la sédimentation des aérosols apparaissent comme des mécanismes majeurs d'élimination des polluants du compartiment air. Par ailleurs, une distribution importante des substances actives avec les surfaces de la pièce (murs, sol, plafond, particules en suspension et poussières) est observée. L'évaluation de l'exposition par inhalation aux produits insecticides étudiés montre qu'il n'existe a priori pas de risque pour la santé. Néanmoins, une évaluation intégrée, prenant en compte toutes les voies d'exposition est nécessaire avant de conclure à une absence de risque sanitaire. / The study of the dynamic behaviour of the active substances during the application of commercial household insecticide products in indoor atmospheres requires the development of the adaptation of on-line analytical procedures with high time resolution. A HS-PTR-MS and a HR-ToF-AMS have therefore been used to measure contaminants both in the gaseous and particulate phase. The active substances targeted by this study belong to the pyrethroids, which are present in different commercial formulations like electric vaporizers and sprays that were applied in a full-scale test room simulating a real atmosphere in the experimental house MARIA of the French scientific and technical centre for building. The results of these measurements show that peak concentrations during a 8h-emission of electric vaporizers range from 1,5 et 8,5 µg.m-3. The peak concentrations of active substances during spraying can reach several dozens of µg.m-3. Ventilation and deposition of aerosols are major elimination mechanisms of pollutants from the air compartment. Moreover, an important distribution of active substances with the surfaces of the room (walls, floor, ceiling, suspended particles and dust) is observed. The evaluation of inhalation exposure to the studied insecticide products show that adverse effects are not likely to occur. Nevertheless, to conclude that these products are safe, it is necessary to perform an integrated evaluation, taking into account all exposure routes.

Ctenocephalides felis est une espèce de puce cosmopolite parasitant majoritairement les carnivores domestiques. Elle est vectrice de nombreux agents pathogènes zoonotiques dont les bactéries du genre Bartonella, bactéries intracellulaires facultatives. La compétence vectorielle de cette puce a été investiguée pour B. henselae, B. quintana, B. clarridgeiae, B. tribocorum et B. birtlesii. Dans ces conditions expérimentales, utilisant un système de gorgement sur membrane, ces espèces ont persisté pendant les trois jours d'une première étude, et pour B. henselae durant les 13 jours de survie des puces, dans une seconde étude. Les cinq espèces de bartonelles ont été retouvées dans les fèces. Pour ces cinq espèces, nos résultats montrent une absence de transmission verticale transovarienne chez la puce et suggèrent une possibilité de contamination horizontale. Nous proposons enfin un protocole original d'évaluation de l'efficacité d'un traitement antiparasitaire chez le chat, pour prévenir sa contamination par Bartonella spp. / Ctenocephalides felis is a cosmopolitan flea species mainly parasitizing pets, transmitting several pathogens of veterinary and zoonotic importance including the facultative intracellular bacteria of the genus Bartonella. The vector competence of this flea was investigated for B. henselae, B. quintana, B. clarridgeiae, B. tribocorum and B. birtlesii, using an artificial feeding system. In these experimental conditions, these bartonellae proved to persist for three days, in a first study, while B. henselae persisted for the 13 days of its life span, in a second study. All five bartonellae were excreted in the flea's faeces. On the whole, these five species were not transmitted transovarially in the fleas, though horizontal transmission was suggested. Furthermore, we propose an original protocol allowing the evaluation of the efficacy of ectoparasiticidal products against Bartonella spp. infection in cats.

Este estudo foi realizado na safra 2002/2003 quando foi avaliado os níveis de endosulfan e seus principais produtos de transformação numa área agrícola localizada na cabeceira de uma microbacia do município de Aguaí-SP. Os objetivos específicos foram: (i) avaliar a movimentação do endosulfan e seus principais transformação no solo sob a cultura do algodão (áreas submetidas à aplicação), (ii) avaliar sua transferência de compartimento (transporte para o solo sob milho e braquiária, adjacentes às áreas aplicadas, e para os corpos aquosos - nascente, lago, córrego jusante e poço), (iii) avaliar os resíduos de endosulfan e seus produtos de transformação nos peixes do açude e (iv) predizer, através de modelagem matemática, a concentração de endosulfan passível de atingir o corpo d\'água e a largura mínima da faixa de contenção (mata ciliar) para impedir a chegada dos produtos no lago. Para tanto, foram realizadas amostragens de solo, sedimento, água dos corpos hídricos e da enxurrada e de peixes, durante sete meses, nas quais foram realizadas análises de &#945;- e &#946;-endosulfan, endosulfan sulfato e endosulfan diol. As análises foram efetuadas por cromatografia gasosa com detecção por espectrometria de massa. Para prever a concentração do produto passível de atingir o açude, tanto associada ao sedimento como na forma livre, foi realizada uma modelagem matemática com base nas propriedades físico-químicas do produto e nas condições edafoclimáticas e de manejo da área estudada. Pôde-se concluir que: (i) o endosulfan e seu produto de transformação endosulfan sulfato não apresentam potencial de lixiviação no solo nas condições estudadas; (ii) a persistência do endosulfan no campo é menor em relação aos estudos de laboratório, sendo que o isômero alfa é o que apresenta a mais rápida degradação e o principal produto de transformação do endosulfan no solo é o endosulfan sulfato; (iii) a principal via de transporte do endosulfan e do endosulfan sulfato no ambiente é o escoamento superficial; (iv) o endosulfan e seus produtos de transformação são transportados associados as micropartículas de solo (\"resíduo-ligado\"); (v) quando a aplicação segue as recomendações estabelecidas pelo fabricante, o produto somente apresenta potencial para atingir áreas adjacentes se houver caminhamento da enxurrada para estas áreas; (vii) o endosulfan e seus produtos de degradação, em sua fase de \"resíduo-ligado\", não apresentam efeito agudo e bioacumulação para as espécies de lambari (Astyanax sp.) e tilápia (Oreochroms sp.) da área nas concentrações observadas neste estudo e (viii) pela modelagem matemática, dentro das condições estudadas, 40 metros de faixa de contenção seria suficiente para impedir a chegada do endosulfan e do endosulfan sulfato nos corpos d\'água, desde que não houvesse fluxo preferencial de enxurrada. / The study was carried out during 2002/2003, and its objective was to evaluate the levels of endosulfan and its main transformation products in a fanning area located at the head of a small valley close to the town of Águaí, SP, Brazil. The specific objectives were: (i) to evaluate the dynamics of endosulfan and its main transformation products in the soil beneath a crop of cotton (areas treated with endosulfan), (ii) to evaluate the transfer of endosulfan among various locations [transport from the applied areas into the adjacent areas cultivated with maize (Zea mays) and brachiaria (Brachiaria spp.), and into various bodies of water - a spring, a lake (pond), a small flowing stream and a well], (iii) to evaluate the presence of the residues of endosulfan and its transformation products on fish in the lake and (iv) to predict, using mathematical modeling, the endosulfan concentration able to reach the lake and the minimum width buffer zone (containment strip or riparian vegetation) needed to avoid the arrival of the pesticide in the lake. In order to achieve this, representative samples of the following types were collected - soil, sediment, fish, water from the spring, the pond, the stream and the well, as well as from the runoff. Samples were collected during a period of seven months, and were analyzed for &#945;- and &#946;-endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate and endosulfan diol. The analyses were performed by gas chromatography, with mass spectrometric detection. Mathematical approach was employed to predict the concentration of endosulfan that could reach the lake, and in which form it would be present (free or sorbed to soil microparticles). Input data for the model were the physical-chemical properties of endosulfan, the local soil and climatic conditions, and the management of the study area. It was possible to conclude that: (i) endosulfan and its transformation products endosulfan sulfate do not present potential leaching in the soil profile; (ii) the persistence of endosulfan in the field is shorter than has been found in laboratory studies, &#945;-endosulfan is degrades more rapidly than &#946;-endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate is the main transformation product; (iii) runoff is the principal transport mechanism for endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate in the environment; (iv) the transformation products are transported by attachment to microparticles of soil (\"bound residues\"); (v) when the application of endosulfan follows the recommendations of the manufacturer, the compound is only likely to reach adjacent areas if there is a runoff into these areas; (vii) the products, in the \"bound residue\" form, do not produce acute effects and bioaccumulation in the species of fish lambari (Astyanax sp.) and tilapia (Oreochroms sp.) from the area, and (viii) the modeling has established that, within the conditions of the study, a 40 m wide containment strip is sufficient to prevent the appearance of endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate in bodies of water, considering that there is no prefential flow of runoff water.

Graduation date: 1996

Les paysans stockent entre 60 et 80% de la production des grains qui est régulièrement infestée par les insectes ravageurs. Les plantes insecticides méritent dêtre valorisées à travers notamment leur huile essentielle afin de limiter la dépendance des paysans aux insecticides chimiques, largement utilisés au Nord du Cameroun et dont les dangers sont bien connus. Lanalyse chromatographique de quelques huiles essentielles locales, révèle que Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf. (Poacée), Ocimum gratissimum L. (Lamiacée) et Ocimum suave Willd (Lamiacée) sont constituées respectivement du citral, du thymol et de leugénol à plus de 50%. Les huiles essentielles de Annona senegalensis Pers. (Annonacée), Hyptis spicigera Lam. (Lamiacée), et Xylopia aethiopica (Dunal) A. Rich. (Annonacée), contiennent majoritairement des monoterpènes hydrocarbonés dont lα-phellandrène, lα-pinène, le sabinène et le β-pinène. H. spicigera et X. aethiopica, dont la composition varie suivant lorigine de la plante, sont les plus efficaces contre Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) et Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.), principaux ravageurs primaires des greniers au Nord du Cameroun. Lactivité insecticide de H. spicigera est marquée par sa teneur en α-pinène (39,0%) tandis que celle de X. aethiopica est due à leffet synergique de ses composés. La volatilité des huiles essentielles nécessite des supports aptes à réguler le relarguage des molécules volatiles. Avec plus de 90% de molécules volatiles libérées en 7 jours, la poudre des infrutescences de X. aethiopica, qui contiennent plus de 5% dhuile essentielle, bien que toxique contre C. maculatus, ne permet pas de réguler et de prolonger la libération des molécules volatiles. Le kaolin testé dégrade lhuile essentielle X. aethiopica tandis que lincorporation de lamidon à la gomme arabique permet de libérer en 7 jours, 40,5 à 55,9% des molécules volatiles suivant la proportion damidon. Cette combinaison est un système qui autorégule le relarguage en deux phases. La première phase a un taux de relarguage élevé qui entraîne un effet « Knock down » sur C. maculatus, et la seconde phase présente un relarguage lent et prolongé qui pourrait, par un effet répulsif, éviter linfestation des grains stockés. Cette étude est une contribution du projet « STOREPROTECT PIC-2003 » à la protection des denrées stockées par lutilisation des ressources locales au Nord du Cameroun.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:30:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 308576 bytes, checksum: 4517ced7e005a18483bc835f89df8a70 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-02-17 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) is the most important pest of tomato Lycopersicon esculentum Mill in Brazil. Their larvae consume the leaf mesophyll, attack stems, flowers and fruits of tomato, reducing the productivity of this culture and consequently the profitability of farmers. For reducing this insect attack, farmers use insecticides intensively, and often the efficacy control is not reached as desired. One possible reason for the low efficiency is the resistance development to insecticides in populations of this insect. Therefore, tomato producers need search for detecting and monitoring of the T. absolute populations resistance to insecticides. The objective of this study was identified resistance to insecticides in T. absoluta populations from major regions tomato producing of Brazil, and verified the control failures of this pest. The populations were from Cerrado, Southeast and Northeast of Brazil. Ten insecticides were used, six neurotoxic, three insects growth regulators and one which has the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis as active ingredient. In populations from Cerrado and Southeast the abamectin, spinosad, deltamethrin, triazophos, indoxacarb and bifenthrin were in ascending order, the insecticides that showed the lowest level of resistance among the products tested. In Northeast s population the same resistance was observed, except for bifenthrin, which was replaced by teflubenzurom. The insecticides diflubenzurom, permethrin, triflumurom and the B. Thuringiensis had larger numbers of resistant populations to insecticides in all regions. The T. absoluta population from Viçosa-MG is the most appropriate to be used as susceptibility pattern in resistance study to insecticides of this pest. In recommended doses by industries, the abamectin, spinosad, deltamethrin and triazophos insecticides had not control failures of the T. absolute populations, while the bifenthrin has control failures of populations from Uberlândia, Paulínea and Camocim de São Felix, the indoxacarb had control failures of populations from Uberlândia, São João da Barra and Viçosa, teflubenzurom had control failures of populations from Goianápolis, São João da Barra, Viçosa and Santa Tereza, diflubenzurom, permethrin, triflumurom and B. thuringiensis had control failures in all the T absolute populations which were tested. The correct management of this pest, through the practices which contribute for increasing of control efficacy, can help prevent, delay or reverse the resistance development of this insect pest to insecticides. / A Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) é a praga mais importante do tomateiro Lycopersicon esculentum Mill no Brasil. As larvas desse inseto-praga consomem o mesófilo foliar, bloqueiam os ponteiros, os botões florais, as flores e frutos do tomateiro, reduzindo a produtividade dessa cultura, comprometendo a lucratividade dos tomaticultores. Com o intuito de minimizar o efeito desse inseto, os agricultores fazem o uso intensivo de inseticidas, que muitas vezes não alcançam a eficiência de controle desejada. Uma das possíveis razões para a baixa eficiência esta o desenvolvimento da resistência a inseticida em populações desse inseto. Dessa forma, a tomaticultura carece de trabalhos que visem à detecção e o monitoramento adequado de populações de T. absoluta resistentes a inseticidas. Assim, o objetivo desse trabalho estudar e identificar a ocorrência de resistência em populações de T. absoluta a inseticidas nas principais regiões produtoras de tomate do Brasil, e verificar falhas no controle desta praga. As populações foram provenientes do Cerrado, Sudeste e Nordeste. Foram utilizados dez inseticidas, sendo seis neurotóxicos, três reguladores de crescimento e um que tem como ingrediente ativo a bactéria Bacillus thuringiensis. Para as macrorregiões do Cerrado e Sudeste, abamectina, espinosade, deltametrina mais triazofós, indoxacarbe e bifentrina foram, em ordem crescente, os inseticidas que apresentaram o menor nível de resistência dentre os produtos testados. Para o Nordeste observou-se o mesmo padrão, com exceção da bifentrina que foi substituída pelo teflubenzurom. Os inseticidas diflubenzurom, permetrina, o triflumurom e o B. thuringiensis apresentaram números maiores de populações resistentes a inseticidas em todas as macrorregiões. A população de Tuta absoluta de Viçosa-MG é a mais adequada a ser utilizada como padrão de suscetibilidade em estudos de resistência a inseticidas. Nas doses recomendadas pelos fabricantes, os inseticidas abamectina, espinosade, deltametrina mais triazofós não apresentaram falhas no controle das populações de T. absoluta, já a bifentrina apresentou falhas no controle das populações de Uberlândia, Paulínea e Camocim de São Felix, o indoxacarbe apresentou falhas no controle das populações de Uberlândia, São João da Barra e Viçosa, o teflubenzurom apresentou falhas no controle das populações de Goianápolis, São João da Barra, Viçosa e Santa Tereza, o diflubenzurom, permetrina, triflumurom e o a base de B. thuringiensis apresentaram falhas no controle de todas as populações de T absoluta testadas. O manejo correto dessa praga através de práticas que contribuam para um controle mais eficiente pode ajuda a prevenir, retardar ou reverter à evolução da resistência deste inseto-praga a inseticidas.

Este estudo foi realizado na safra 2002/2003 quando foi avaliado os níveis de endosulfan e seus principais produtos de transformação numa área agrícola localizada na cabeceira de uma microbacia do município de Aguaí-SP. Os objetivos específicos foram: (i) avaliar a movimentação do endosulfan e seus principais transformação no solo sob a cultura do algodão (áreas submetidas à aplicação), (ii) avaliar sua transferência de compartimento (transporte para o solo sob milho e braquiária, adjacentes às áreas aplicadas, e para os corpos aquosos - nascente, lago, córrego jusante e poço), (iii) avaliar os resíduos de endosulfan e seus produtos de transformação nos peixes do açude e (iv) predizer, através de modelagem matemática, a concentração de endosulfan passível de atingir o corpo d\'água e a largura mínima da faixa de contenção (mata ciliar) para impedir a chegada dos produtos no lago. Para tanto, foram realizadas amostragens de solo, sedimento, água dos corpos hídricos e da enxurrada e de peixes, durante sete meses, nas quais foram realizadas análises de &#945;- e &#946;-endosulfan, endosulfan sulfato e endosulfan diol. As análises foram efetuadas por cromatografia gasosa com detecção por espectrometria de massa. Para prever a concentração do produto passível de atingir o açude, tanto associada ao sedimento como na forma livre, foi realizada uma modelagem matemática com base nas propriedades físico-químicas do produto e nas condições edafoclimáticas e de manejo da área estudada. Pôde-se concluir que: (i) o endosulfan e seu produto de transformação endosulfan sulfato não apresentam potencial de lixiviação no solo nas condições estudadas; (ii) a persistência do endosulfan no campo é menor em relação aos estudos de laboratório, sendo que o isômero alfa é o que apresenta a mais rápida degradação e o principal produto de transformação do endosulfan no solo é o endosulfan sulfato; (iii) a principal via de transporte do endosulfan e do endosulfan sulfato no ambiente é o escoamento superficial; (iv) o endosulfan e seus produtos de transformação são transportados associados as micropartículas de solo (\"resíduo-ligado\"); (v) quando a aplicação segue as recomendações estabelecidas pelo fabricante, o produto somente apresenta potencial para atingir áreas adjacentes se houver caminhamento da enxurrada para estas áreas; (vii) o endosulfan e seus produtos de degradação, em sua fase de \"resíduo-ligado\", não apresentam efeito agudo e bioacumulação para as espécies de lambari (Astyanax sp.) e tilápia (Oreochroms sp.) da área nas concentrações observadas neste estudo e (viii) pela modelagem matemática, dentro das condições estudadas, 40 metros de faixa de contenção seria suficiente para impedir a chegada do endosulfan e do endosulfan sulfato nos corpos d\'água, desde que não houvesse fluxo preferencial de enxurrada. / The study was carried out during 2002/2003, and its objective was to evaluate the levels of endosulfan and its main transformation products in a fanning area located at the head of a small valley close to the town of Águaí, SP, Brazil. The specific objectives were: (i) to evaluate the dynamics of endosulfan and its main transformation products in the soil beneath a crop of cotton (areas treated with endosulfan), (ii) to evaluate the transfer of endosulfan among various locations [transport from the applied areas into the adjacent areas cultivated with maize (Zea mays) and brachiaria (Brachiaria spp.), and into various bodies of water - a spring, a lake (pond), a small flowing stream and a well], (iii) to evaluate the presence of the residues of endosulfan and its transformation products on fish in the lake and (iv) to predict, using mathematical modeling, the endosulfan concentration able to reach the lake and the minimum width buffer zone (containment strip or riparian vegetation) needed to avoid the arrival of the pesticide in the lake. In order to achieve this, representative samples of the following types were collected - soil, sediment, fish, water from the spring, the pond, the stream and the well, as well as from the runoff. Samples were collected during a period of seven months, and were analyzed for &#945;- and &#946;-endosulfan, endosulfan sulfate and endosulfan diol. The analyses were performed by gas chromatography, with mass spectrometric detection. Mathematical approach was employed to predict the concentration of endosulfan that could reach the lake, and in which form it would be present (free or sorbed to soil microparticles). Input data for the model were the physical-chemical properties of endosulfan, the local soil and climatic conditions, and the management of the study area. It was possible to conclude that: (i) endosulfan and its transformation products endosulfan sulfate do not present potential leaching in the soil profile; (ii) the persistence of endosulfan in the field is shorter than has been found in laboratory studies, &#945;-endosulfan is degrades more rapidly than &#946;-endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate is the main transformation product; (iii) runoff is the principal transport mechanism for endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate in the environment; (iv) the transformation products are transported by attachment to microparticles of soil (\"bound residues\"); (v) when the application of endosulfan follows the recommendations of the manufacturer, the compound is only likely to reach adjacent areas if there is a runoff into these areas; (vii) the products, in the \"bound residue\" form, do not produce acute effects and bioaccumulation in the species of fish lambari (Astyanax sp.) and tilapia (Oreochroms sp.) from the area, and (viii) the modeling has established that, within the conditions of the study, a 40 m wide containment strip is sufficient to prevent the appearance of endosulfan and endosulfan sulfate in bodies of water, considering that there is no prefential flow of runoff water.