First evidence of neonicotinoid residues in a long-distance migratory raptor, the European honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus)

Abstract

The evidence of negative impacts of agricultural pesticides on non-target organisms is constantly growing. One of the most widely used group of pesticides are neonicotinoids, used in treatments of various plants, e.g. oilseed crops, corn and apples, to prevent crop damage by agricultural insect pests. Treatment effects have been found to spill over to non-target insects, such as bees, and more recently also to other animal groups, among them passerine birds. Very little is known, however, on the presence of neonicotinoids in other wild species at higher trophic levels. We present results on the presence of neonicotinoid residues in blood samples of a long-distant migratory food-specialist raptor, the European honey buzzard. Further, we investigate the spatial relationship between neonicotinoid residue prevalence in honey buzzards with that of crop fields where neonicotinoids are typically used. A majority of all blood samples contained neonicotinoids, thiacloprid accounting for most of the prevalence. While neonicotinoid residues were detected in both adults and nestlings, the methodological limit of quantification was exceeded only in nestlings. Neonicotinoids were present in all sampled nests. Neonicotinoid presence in honey buzzard nestlings' blood matched spatially with the presence of oilseed plant fields. These are the first observations of neonicotinoids in a diurnal raptor. For better understanding the potential negative sub-lethal of neonicotinoids in wild vertebrates, new (experimental) studies are needed.

Insect Epigenetic Mechanisms Facing Anthropogenic-Derived Contamination, an Overview

“…Often, pesticide application methods, both agricultural and domiciliary, do not appropriately discriminate between target and non-target organisms. Neonicotinoids are not an exception to this problem [ 192 , 193 , 194 ]; many different organisms (e.g., insects) may be affected by these toxicants, triggering varied responses [ 44 , 195 , 196 ]. Neonicotinoid contamination of non-target organisms has been extensively documented in animals [ 197 , 198 , 199 ].…”

Estimation of the Effects of Neonicotinoid Insecticides on Wild Raccoon, Procyon lotor, in Hokkaido, Japan: Urinary Concentrations and Hepatic Metabolic Capability of Neonicotinoids

“…Ours is the first study to report the detection of NNI compounds in wild raccoons. Previously, NNI residues were found in wild terrestrial vertebrates, including wild boar, deer, and birds (Byholm et al, 2018; Kaczyński et al, 2021; MacDonald et al, 2018). Although NNIs were extracted from the blood and organs of wildlife species in these previous studies, we used urine samples from raccoons, and could therefore detect NNIs more frequently.…”

“…The NNI‐induced toxicological effects on animals mainly depend on two factors: the exposure dose and the susceptibility to the chemical. There are some reports regarding NNI detection in wild mammalian species (Byholm et al, 2018; Kaczyski et al, 2021; MacDonald et al, 2018). In these previous studies, NNIs were detected in organs such as the liver and muscle of certain wildlife species like wild boar, deer, and birds; however, the rate of detection and concentrations were low in most cases, and exposure levels of NNIs cannot be estimated from the concentrations in these organs.…”

The Wasp as a Terrestrial Indicator of Environmental Metal Composition: Evidence from Zimbabwe

“…Work on wasps reached similar conclusions (Kowalczyk and Watala 1989; Urbini et al 2006; Polidori et al 2018; Skaldina et al 2020). Trophic transfer of metals from soil to plants to insects (Boyd et al 2006; Butler and Trumble 2008; Ali and Khan 2019; Tőzser et al 2019), from insects as prey to arthropods that are predators, and on to higher trophic levels including birds (Figure 5) and humans has been demonstrated (Zhang et al 2009; Lopes et al 2010; van Huis 2013; Gall et al 2015; Byholm et al 2018; Kwon et al 2019). In many of these publications, the complexities of uptake, accumulation, and transfer are part of the narrative.…”

“…Impacts on these terrestrial insects are also likely to have effects on ecosystems (Richter 2000). Wasps are also medicine and food for humans and animals (Heo 1613; Lopes et al 2010; Van Huis 2013; Byholm et al 2018; Kwon et al 2019) and may affect them through exposure via intake. In the present study, we investigated the concentrations of metals in paper wasps (family Vespidae, subfamily Polistinae) from 4 sites in Zimbabwe, 2 of which are presumed polluted (one near a platinum mine, one near a known polluted lake), another from urban Harare, and one from a nature reserve as reference (Figure 1).…”