University of Bristol Research Highlights Risks of New Pesticide to Pollinators

University of Bristol Research Highlights Risks of New Pesticide to Pollinators

(IN BRIEF) Research from the University of Bristol and the University of Texas at Austin has found that flupyradifurone, a new pesticide designed to replace banned neonicotinoids, poses significant risks to mason bees. The pesticide caused 100% mortality in exposed bees and resulted in sublethal effects, including reduced nesting, lower survival rates, and less efficient foraging. The study calls for a reevaluation of pesticide risk assessments and suggests restricting flupyradifurone’s use until more research is conducted. The researchers also recommend a more comprehensive approach to evaluating the impact of pesticides on non-Apis bees.

(PRESS RELEASE) BRISTOL, 6-Sep-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Recent research from the University of Bristol and the University of Texas at Austin reveals alarming findings regarding flupyradifurone, a new pesticide developed as a potential alternative to banned neonicotinoids. While flupyradifurone was designed to reduce risks to pollinators and is already licensed for use on crops visited by bees, new evidence indicates it may be more harmful than anticipated.

In controlled tests, flupyradifurone caused 100% mortality in Osmia lignaria (mason bees) exposed to treated wildflowers. Furthermore, surviving bees showed significant sublethal effects: they demonstrated reduced nesting behavior, lower survival rates, and took approximately 12.78% longer to forage for pollen and nectar compared to untreated control bees.

Lead researcher Harry Siviter from Bristol’s School of Biological Sciences expressed concern over these findings: “Our study highlights a significant risk to vital pollinators from flupyradifurone. These results challenge the notion that novel pesticides are inherently safer for bees compared to their predecessors.”

The study emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive ecotoxicology assessments before new pesticides are approved for widespread use. Current evaluations may not adequately protect wild bees, raising concerns about the broader ecological impact of such chemicals.

Siviter and his team advocate for more cautious use of flupyradifurone, suggesting restrictions on its application to non-flowering crops while further research is conducted. They also call for a more holistic approach to pesticide risk assessment, one that considers the diverse biology of non-Apis bees to better safeguard pollinator health.

As the research continues, the team plans to investigate the effects of flupyradifurone exposure through soil on solitary bees, aiming to provide a more comprehensive understanding of its environmental impact.

For further information, refer to the study titled “A novel pesticide has lethal consequences for an imphortant pollinator” by Harry Siviter et al., published in the Science of the Total Environment.

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SOURCE: University of Bristol