| Summary: | A laboratory experiment, carried out for five months, was designed to assess effects produced by the neonicotinoid Actara 25 WG, used at a dose recommended by the manufacturer, in the dynamics of populations of epigeic earthworms Eisenia fetida (Sav.) and Dendrobena veneta (Rosa). The study was conducted in a climatic chamber and involved balanced biomass of mature specimens representing both species, in 3 replications of soil medium with the insecticide, in addition to controls. The growing populations were inspected five times, by means of manual segregation of the substrate. The insecticide led to an increase in both the number of specimens and biomass of E. fetida population (overall as well as mature and immature worms), yet it reduced their reproduction (decreased number of cocoons) (p<0.05). In the case of D.veneta, the neonicotinoid insecticide produced positive effects only in mature specimens (p<0.05).
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