Meta-analysis reveals that seed-applied neonicotinoids and pyrethroids have similar negative effects on abundance of arthropod natural enemies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Seed-applied neonicotinoids are widely used in agriculture, yet their effects on non-target species remain incompletely understood. One important group of non-target species is arthropod natural enemies (predators and parasitoids), which contribute considerably to suppression of crop pests. We hypothesized that seed-applied neonicotinoids reduce natural-enemy abundance, but not as strongly as alternative insecticide options such as soil- and foliar-applied pyrethroids. Furthermore we hypothesized that seed-applied neonicotinoids affect natural enemies through a combination of toxin exposure and prey scarcity.

Methods

To test our hypotheses, we compiled datasets comprising observations from randomized field studies in North America and Europe that compared natural-

SUBMITTER: Douglas MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5147019 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature