Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Seasonal differences in larval sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) sensitivity to the pesticide TFM

January 25, 2024

Invasive sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) are controlled in the Great Lakes with 4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenol (commonly 3-trifluoromethyl-4-nitrophenol or TFM). The proper amount of TFM must be applied during treatments to effectively kill larval sea lamprey while minimizing impacts to non-target species. In this study, bioassay tests were conducted in May, July, and September in a portable test trailer at six larval sea lamprey infested rivers in Michigan to determine potential seasonal changes in sensitivity of larval sea lamprey to TFM. Larvae greater than 60 mm were collected from each stream and exposed for 12 h in TFM-treated stream water using two independent continuous-flow diluter systems. A suite of water chemistries and larval physiological parameters were collected during the tests and modeled as potential predictors of seasonal changes in the sensitivity of larval sea lamprey to TFM. The observed minimum lethal concentrations to larval sea lamprey were 0–40% lower (May), 8% lower–59% higher (July), and 49–117% higher (September) than sea lamprey control personnel treatment prediction charts. Water temperature, liver glycogen content, and time of year were strongly associated with seasonal differences in TFM sensitivity, offering sea lamprey control personnel more exact predictions to limit potential residual lamprey surviving future treatments.

Publication Year 2024
Title Seasonal differences in larval sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) sensitivity to the pesticide TFM
DOI 10.1016/j.jglr.2023.102248
Authors Justin Schueller, Michael A. Boogaard, Courtney A Kirkeeng, Nicholas Schloesser, Samantha L. Wolfe, Avery J. Lettenberger, Tisha King-Heiden, James A. Luoma
Publication Type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Series Title Journal of Great Lakes Research
Index ID 70252712
Record Source USGS Publications Warehouse
USGS Organization Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center
Was this page helpful?