Abstract
The use of neonicotinoid insecticides in agriculture is now recognized for the health risks it poses to non-target wildlife, with associated honey bee mortality especially concerning. Research directed toward the presence and effects of these pesticides on terrestrial vertebrates that consume neonicotinoid-coated seeds, such as wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris), is lacking. This study used liquid chromatography attached to a tandem mass spectrometer to assess the liver from 40 wild turkeys for neonicotinoid and other pesticide residues and compared detected levels of these contaminants across the southern Ontario, Canada. Nine (22.5%) wild turkeys had detectible levels of neonicotinoid residues—clothianidin in eight, and thiamethoxam in three. Two (5.0%) of these turkeys had detectable levels of both clothianidin and thiamethoxam. Fuberidazole was detected in two (5.0%) wild turkeys. The highest level of thiamethoxam detected was 0.16 ppm, while clothianidin was detected at 0.12 ppm, and fuberidazole at 0.0094 ppm. Knowledge of exposure in free-ranging wildlife is critical for better understanding the effects of neonicotinoids on wildlife health; thus, these data help establish baseline data for southern Ontario wild turkeys and provide context for reference values in future analyses.
Highlights
Neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs) have become the most widely used insecticides in the world (Schaafsma et al 2015)
NNI compounds were detected by LC-MS/MS in liver samples from 17 wild turkeys (i.e., 43% of samples analyzed) at levels approaching the lower detection limit
The highest levels detected for each compound were 0.16 ppm of thiamethoxam, 0.12 ppm of clothianidin, and fuberidazole at 0.0094 ppm (Table 1)
Summary
Neonicotinoid insecticides (NNIs) have become the most widely used insecticides in the world (Schaafsma et al 2015). They are applied as various formulations including as foliage sprays, seed coating, and soil treatments. Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues used on many large-acreage crops in southern Ontario (e.g., corn, soy, grains, dry beans, and canola), 60% are utilized as seed coatings (Jeschke et al 2011; OMNRF 2017). NNIs are systemic insecticides, taken up by the plant following application and distributed systemically through plant tissues as it grows They act by affecting the central nervous system of insects, causing over-excitation of nerve synapses, followed by paralysis and eventually death (Fishel 2013). These insecticides have been recognized for the risks they pose to non-target wildlife, including as a potential factor driving colony collapse disorder in honey bees (Farooqui 2013). Little attention has been paid to higher trophic biota, including terrestrial vertebrates
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