A short description is given of 19 laboratory, 12 semi‐field and 5 field methods to test the side‐effects of pesticides on beneficial organisms. The methods were developed according to standard guidelines by members of the Working Group ‘Pesticides and Beneficial Organisms’ of the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC), West Palaearctic Regional Section (WPRS); 28 members in nine countries participated and the beneficial organisms (natural enemies of insects and mites) included: 6 Hymenoptera, 4 Coleoptera, 2 Diptera, 1 Neuroptera, 1 Heteroptera, 3 Acari, 1 Aranea, 1 entomopathogenic fungus (Hyphomycetes). There is agreement that a combination of laboratory, semi‐field and field tests is needed to show the side‐effects of pesticides on beneficial organisms and that the beneficials chosen for the test should be relevant to the crop on which the pesticide is to be used.

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SnmmaryA comprehensive temperature survey of the River North Tyne and its major tributaries is described. The maximum .summer temperature of the main river increa.sed downstream, and then remained more or less con.stant in the middle and lower reaches, whereas the minimttm contintwd to rise throughottt the length of the river. This general pattern was wmltered by fiow rate, except in regions of almost stationary water. Mean water temperatures were low in winter, rose to a peak in Jidy, and then fell during the remainder of the year. Throughotft the year, three .significantly different mean daily temperature ranges were demonstrated. The rate of change of temperature also varied seasonally, being greatest during July. A study of the major tributaries revealed certain clifferetices, and these are discttssed, particularly in relation to the importance of width atid shading on water temperature. In conclusion, suggestions have been made concerting the possible inflttence of Kielder Water on downstream river temperatures.

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