PENETRATION AND METABOLISM OF 2-ISOPROPOXYPHENYL N-METHYL-N-(2-METHYL-4-TERT-BUTYLPHENYLSULFENYL) CARBAMATE IN THE HOUSE-FLY AND HONEYBEE

The penetration and metabolism of 2 - isopropoxyphenyl N-methyl-N-(2-methyl-4-tert - butylphenylsulfenyl)carbamate or sulfenyl-propoxur was examined in the house fly and honeybee. Reduced penetration was found to be a factor contributing to the lower toxicity of sulfenyl-propoxur to the honeybee. Honeybees and house flies metabolized sulfenyl-propoxur qualitatively in a similar manner. Quantitatively, larger amounts of propoxur were found in the house fly than in the honeybee soon after treatment with sulfenyl-propoxur. The slower rate of conversion of sulfenyl-propoxur to propoxur was considered as another factor responsible for the lower toxicity of the sulfenylated derivative to bees. The high susceptibility of bees to propoxur was related to high internal amounts of unchanged propoxur found soon after treatment. © 1979.