Sub-lethal effects of permethrin exposure on a passerine: implications for managing ectoparasites in wild bird nests.

ABSTRACT: Permethrin is increasingly used for parasite control in bird nests, including nests of threatened passerines. We present the first formal evaluation of the effects of continued permethrin exposure on the reproductive success and liver function of a passerine, the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata), for two generations. We experimentally treated all nest material with a 1% permethrin solution or a water control and provided the material to breeding finches for nest building. The success of two consecutive clutches produced by the parental generation and one clutch produced by first-generation birds were tracked. Finches in the first generation were able to reproduce and fledge offspring after permethrin exposure, ruling out infertility. Permethrin treatment had no statistically signif

SUBMITTER: Bulgarella M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7416766 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature