What term describes the time it takes for a pesticide to maintain enough toxicity to kill 25% of worker bees?

The term that describes the time it takes for a pesticide to maintain enough toxicity to kill 25% of worker bees is known as residual toxicity. This refers to the lingering toxic effects that a pesticide can have after it has been applied. In the context of pesticides, residual toxicity is particularly important when considering how long a pesticide remains harmful to beneficial organisms such as bees after application, which is crucial to understand for effective pest management strategies that minimize harm to non-target species.

Other terms provided relate to different aspects of toxicity. LD50 refers to the lethal dose required to kill half of a test population, indicating acute toxicity but does not specify time or percentage related to worker bees. Acute toxicity relates to the immediate toxic effects of a pesticide following exposure, but not its lasting effects over time. Systemic toxicity refers to the way a pesticide moves through the organism's tissues, impacting its overall health or function, rather than focusing on the persistence of its toxic effects. Understanding residual toxicity is essential in integrated pest management to protect pollinators while effectively controlling pests.