Pesticide dosing must be guided by ecological principles

Colin, Théotime; Monchanin, Coline; Lihoreau, Mathieu; Barron, Andrew B.

doi:10.1038/s41559-020-01302-1

Cited by 13 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…While less is known about these novel insecticides, they can impair bee foraging behaviour (Hesselbach et al, 2020; Tong et al, 2019) (but see (Siviter et al, 2019)), reproductive output (Siviter et al, 2018a, 2020b) and they can also increase bee mortality at field‐realistic levels (Siviter et al, 2020a; Tosi & Nieh, 2019) (recently reviewed in (Siviter & Muth, 2020)). Therefore, while our results confirm that bans on neonicotinoid use will likely benefit wild bee populations, they will only be successful if paired with (1) changes to the agrochemical regulatory process, that ensures novel insecticides do not have a similar sub‐lethal effects on non‐ Apis bees and (2) a reduction in intensive agriculture, and a move towards an integrated pest management approach that promotes biological control, and reduced insecticide use (Colin et al, 2020; Siviter & Muth, 2020). A failure to radically change food production, and agrochemical regulation, will result in a continued decline in bee populations that we rely on for functioning eco‐systems.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

Field‐realistic neonicotinoid exposure has sub‐lethal effects on non‐Apis bees: A meta‐analysis

2021

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Neonicotinoid insecticides can have sub‐lethal effects on bees which has led to calls from conservationists for a global ban. In contrast, agrochemical companies argue that neonicotinoids do not harm honeybees at field‐realistic levels. However, the focus on honeybees neglects the potential impact on other bee species. We conducted a meta‐analysis to assess whether field‐realistic neonicotinoid exposure has sub‐lethal effects on non‐Apis bees. We extracted data from 53 papers (212 effects sizes) and found that it largely consisted of two genera: bumblebees (Bombus) and mason bees (Osmia), highlighting a substantial taxonomic knowledge gap. Neonicotinoid exposure negatively affected reproductive output across all bees and impaired bumblebee colony growth and foraging. Neonicotinoids also reduced Bombus, but not Osmia, individual development (growth and body size). Our results suggest that restrictions on neonicotinoids should benefit bee populations and highlight that the current regulatory process does not safeguard pollinators from the unwanted consequences of insecticide use.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 60%

Field‐realistic neonicotinoid exposure has sub‐lethal effects on non‐Apis bees: A meta‐analysis

2021

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“…[1,[4][5][6] The importance of pesticides notwithstanding, negative impacts on terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity, deleterious effects on nontarget organisms, increased pathogen resistance, and accumulation in the food chain are some of the negative effects because of the overuse of pesticides. [7,8] To meet the existing challenges of achieving global food security while ensuring minimal damages to the environment, one sustainable solution is to deploy active ingredients (AIs) via controlled release formulations at a rate commensurate with the requirements of the particular crop management system. Controlled release formulations bond or encapsulate the AI within a micro/nanoscale carrier typically developed from a polymer.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Toward Sustainable Crop Protection: Aqueous Dispersions of Biodegradable Particles with Tunable Release and Rainfastness

Pirzada

Sohail

Tripathi

et al. 2021

Adv Funct Materials

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Fabrication of aqueous particulate dispersions of biodegradable cellulose esters (CEs) as efficient carriers of agrochemical active‐ingredients (AIs) for foliar applications, is reported. The use of different ester substituent groups on CE permits modulation of particle morphology and size, from irregular shapes (<350 nm) to spheres (≈1.1 µm diameter), while maintaining stability as supported by minimal change in zeta potential and particle size over one year. Rainfastness is tested by simulating >50 mm h−1 rainfall on coated banana and tomato leaves and silicon. Surface coverage loss as low as 9%, based on the nature of leaf and formulation, confirms the rainfastness of the formulations. Variation in the release kinetics of a model AI fluopyram from different CEs can be attributed to the particle morphology and the nature of binding between fluopyram and various CEs. Thermodynamic analysis demonstrates spontaneous binding between fluopyram and multiple sites of CEs, justifying its two‐step release from CE particles. System functionalities are corroborated via in‐vitro fungal inhibition assays demonstrating a 100% inhibition of the fungal growth. This “lab‐to‐leaf” approach of materials development involving fundamental insights and functional performance reveals CE dispersions are promising green agricultural formulations with the potential to impact a myriad of crops around the globe.

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“…This advocates for the use of low pesticide concentrations in the field. Reducing use to doses having sublethal effects on pest insects would still protect crops when pest density is low and thereby would be less damaging to non-target insects (Colin, Monchanin, et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Considering variance in pollinator responses to stressors can reveal potential for resilience

Cabirol

Moracho

Monchanin

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Environmental stressors have sublethal consequences on animals, often affecting the mean of phenotypic traits in a population. However, potential effects on variance are poorly understood. Since phenotypic variance is the basis for adaptation, any influence of stressors may have important implications for population resilience. Here we explored this possibility in insect pollinators by analysing raw datasets from 24 studies (6,913 bees) in which individuals were first exposed to stressors and then tested for cognitive tasks. While all types of stressors decreased the mean cognitive performance of bees, their effect on variance was complex. Focusing on 15 pesticide studies, we found that the dose and the mode of exposure to stressors were critical. At low pesticide doses, cognitive variance decreased following chronic exposures but not for acute exposures. Acute exposure to low doses thus seems less damaging at the population level. In all cases however, the variance decreased with increasing doses. Policy implications: Current guidelines for the authorization of plant protection products on the European market prioritize acute over chronic toxicity assessments on non-target organisms. By overlooking the consequences of a chronic exposure, regulatory authorities may register new products that are harmful to bee populations. Our findings thus call for more research on stress-induced phenotypic variance and its incorporation to policy guidelines to help identify levels and modes of exposure animals can cope with.

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Pesticide dosing must be guided by ecological principles

Abstract: Insecticide use could be reduced if dose recommendations move from a toxicological perspective (how much is needed to kill an insect pest) to an ecological perspective (how much is needed to protect a crop).

Cited by 13 publications

References 36 publications

Field‐realistic neonicotinoid exposure has sub‐lethal effects on non‐Apis bees: A meta‐analysis

Field‐realistic neonicotinoid exposure has sub‐lethal effects on non‐Apis bees: A meta‐analysis

Toward Sustainable Crop Protection: Aqueous Dispersions of Biodegradable Particles with Tunable Release and Rainfastness

Considering variance in pollinator responses to stressors can reveal potential for resilience

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