RE-COLONIZATION OF SOIL MICRO ARTHROPODS FROM 5CM DEPTH WITHIN 5 MONTHS PERIOD OF TREATMENT WITH ENDOSULFAN (ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDE) TREATMENT IN BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

The re-colonization of soil arthropods was monitored for five months (April to August) 2007 ascertain whether the application Endosulfan (an organochlorine pesticide) in varying concentration levels would adversely affect sampling arthropod groups within a 0-5cm depth. Berlese Tullgren Extraction technique, extraction, sorting and identification were adopted some physiochemical parameters (soil pH, temperature moisture) measured. Insects from eight different orders consistently sampled included members Collembola, Coleoptera, Acarina Isoptera. Others include Hymenoptera, Myriapoda, Crustaeca Arachnida. There general initial decrease mean number treated plots April May but increased June August. Members Coleoptera showed highest fauna abundance while species Isoptera, Arachnida least abundance. (mites) exhibited tendency Crustacean least. result revealed that, significantly (P<0.05) on bases pesticide compared with control. Except pH moisture content which positive correlation, negative correlation numbers sampled. implication this survey is micro farm dependent among others applied where not indiscriminate; have ability re-colonize could enhance high productivity long run.