Neonicotinoid insecticides limit the potential of spiders to re-colonize disturbed agroecosystems when using silk-mediated dispersal.

ABSTRACT: Agroecosystems are subject to regular disturbances that cause extinction or migration of much of their fauna, followed by recolonization from surrounding refuges. In small-sized aeronaut spiders, such recolonization is potentiated by their ability to rappel and balloon. These are complex behaviors that we hypothesized to be affected by neurotoxins, namely, neonicotinoids. We tested this hypothesis using two common farmland spider species, Oedothorax apicatus (Linyphiidae) and Phylloneta impressa (Theridiidae). The spiders were topically exposed by dorsal wet application or tarsal dry exposure to commercial neonicotinoid formulations Actara 25 WG, Biscaya 240 OD, Mospilan 20 SP and Confidor 200 OD at concentrations that are recommended for application in agriculture. Contact exposure to neo

SUBMITTER: Rezac M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6706445 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature