Bioindicator methods were used to study the effects of the pyrethroid insecticide deltamethrin on the filtering behavior of the freshwater mussel Anodonta cygnea L in the laboratory, during short-term (30 min) and long-term (1 week) exposure. In the course of the short-term treatment, the water flow through the outflow syphon was monitored. It was found that 1 and 5 micrograms/liter deltamethrin caused an increase, whereas from 10 to 50 micrograms/liter deltamethrin resulted in a depression, in the open time of the outflow syphon and the water outflow. The inhibitory response was concentration dependent. In the long-term experiments, the valve movement representing the activity of the adductor muscles was recorded. At 1 microgram/liter, deltamethrin had no effect on the active period, but reduced the rest time, causing an increase in the filtration; all higher concentrations (10-50 micrograms/liter) caused inhibition of the filtration activity by reducing the active periods and lengthening the rest periods. The active periods were shortened on increase in deltamethrin concentration, the reduction being 80% of the control at 50 micrograms/liter. Lengthening of the rest periods led to a maximum (207% as compared with the control) at 15 micrograms/liter, with a subsequent decline to levels close to the control at 30 and 50 micrograms/liter. Nevertheless, due to the strong reduction of the active periods, the filtering activity remained depressed at higher concentrations. The results provide evidence that deltamethrin pollution may have an adverse effect on the functioning of the bivalve community in the aquatic environment, which should be considered when this chemical is used in agricultural areas near aquatic ecosystems.