The relative levels of recovery by populations of Carabidae, Staphylinidae and Linyphiidae were measured, following exposure to dimethoate, in winter wheat. Staphylinidae recovered most rapidly, Carabidae most slowly. The source of reinvasion differed, with carabid populations being confined within the field in contrast to the other 2 families which recolonized treated areas from the field boundary and beyond. -from Authors