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Page count: 50

Aquatic systems are impacted by temperature fluctuations which can alter the toxicity of pesticides. Increased temperatures have elevated pest activity, resulting in an escalation of pesticide use. One such pesticide class, pyrethroids, has replaced the use of several banned pesticides due to its low mammalian toxicity. The impacts of increased temperatures on the toxicity of a pyrethroid, permethrin, to fish is not yet known. In the current study, juvenile inland silversides (Menidia beryllina) were exposed to permethrin at three temperatures: 10°C, 20°C, and 30°C. Permethrin toxicity was significantly different among each temperature and showed an inverse relationship with temperature. As temperatures fluctuate, fishes experience a change in respiration, biotransformation, and elimination rates, which can drive the noted difference in toxicity. Based on these findings, toxicity can be temperature dependent and should be considered when assessing risk of exposure to pesticides in aquatic systems.