Dimethoate affects cholinesterases in Folsomia candida and their locomotion - False negative results of an avoidance behaviour test

► Folsomia candida (Collembola) cholinesterases are typical acetylcholinesterases (AChE). ► Dimethoate affected the AChE activity in a positive dose-related response (in vivo and in vitro). ► Non avoidance of dimethoate was observed; the effect was in fact a non-escape ability due to immobilisation of organisms. ► Non escape effect was positively correlated with AChE activity decrease.