Bees research shows not all neonicotinoids are the same
The group of chemical insecticides known as Neonicotinoids have been identified as presenting a serious risk to bee populations, leading to bans on their use. But at least one may be unfairly named among the offenders when it comes to risks to bumblebees, according to new research led by the University of Dundee.
The new study found that one of the neonicotinoid insecticides – clothianidin – did not show the same detrimental effects on bee colonies as its close chemical relatives imidacloprid and thiamethoxam. All three neonicotinoids have been subject to an EU-wide moratorium on their use.
Dr Chris Connolly, a Research Associate at the Centre for Environmental change and Human Rselience (CECHR) and Reader in the Division of Neuroscience at Dundee’s School of Medicine , is one of the leading authorities on the effects of neonicotinoids on bees. He has led this new study, involving both the University of Dundee and the University of St Andrews, which shows that each of the different neonicotinoids leads to differential risks for bumblebees.
“There has been growing concern over the risk to bee populations from neonicotinoid insecticides and their long-term consequences to essential ecosystem services and food security,” said Dr Connolly .
“Our knowledge of the risk of neonicotinoids to bees is based on studies of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam and these findings have generally been extrapolated to clothianidin.
“However, in this study we have looked at the three neonicotinoids in parallel. What we have found is that imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, but not clothiandin, exhibit toxicity to bumblebee colonies when exposed at field-relevant levels.
“There was also further variation in the effects on bees between the three insecticides. So we can clearly see that the banned neonicotinoids are not the same, so they should be considered independently when considering risk and legislation.
“From our findings, we consider that it is premature to place a permanent ban on the use of clothianidin. That said, a moratorium on its use should continue until the knowledge gaps are filled on its wider impact on other species.”
Funded under the Insect Pollinators Initiative , the researchers tested 75 bee colonies at five separate locations in Scotland.
Dr Connolly said the study once again confirmed the threat to bumblebees from use of imidacloprid and thiamethoxam.
“We have seen further evidence to indicate the risk from these insecticides, including deficits in colony strength,” he said.
“Given these findings, small changes in the pesticide structure or its target site in insects are likely to be critical to risk assessment and each pesticide/insect combination needs to be considered independently - evidence should not be extrapolated to similar chemicals or insects. Real risk must be determined empirically.”
Original publication
Christopher Moffat, Stephen T. Buckland, Andrew J. Samson, Robin McArthur, Victor Chamosa Pino, Karen A. Bollan, Jeffrey T.-J. Huang & Christopher N. Connolly; "Neonicotinoids target distinct nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and neurons, leading to differential risks to bumblebees"; Scientific Reports; 2016
Most read news
Original publication
Christopher Moffat, Stephen T. Buckland, Andrew J. Samson, Robin McArthur, Victor Chamosa Pino, Karen A. Bollan, Jeffrey T.-J. Huang & Christopher N. Connolly; "Neonicotinoids target distinct nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and neurons, leading to differential risks to bumblebees"; Scientific Reports; 2016
Topics
Organizations
Other news from the department science

Get the chemical industry in your inbox
By submitting this form you agree that LUMITOS AG will send you the newsletter(s) selected above by email. Your data will not be passed on to third parties. Your data will be stored and processed in accordance with our data protection regulations. LUMITOS may contact you by email for the purpose of advertising or market and opinion surveys. You can revoke your consent at any time without giving reasons to LUMITOS AG, Ernst-Augustin-Str. 2, 12489 Berlin, Germany or by e-mail at revoke@lumitos.com with effect for the future. In addition, each email contains a link to unsubscribe from the corresponding newsletter.
Most read news
More news from our other portals
Last viewed contents
Particle_size_(general)
Category:EC_3.6
BIOTECHNICA and LABVOLUTION: Biologization and digitalization are top themes

The Missing Step in the Water Warmup: First Bend and then Turn - New insights into how and how quickly the energy stored in a bent water molecule is dissipated into heat

Researchers construct highly selective photocatalysts for nonoxidative coupling of methane - The transformation ability reaches the same level as that of thermocatalysis, but photocatalysis happens under relatively mild conditions
Star_of_Murfreesboro
Huntsman to Increase MDI and MDI-Based Systems Prices in Europe

Carbon Capture on Board Ships as a Valuable Transition Technology

Insight into inner magnetic layers
