Neonicotinoids are a group of insecticides that include 'imidacloprid', 'clothianidin', 'thiamethoxam', 'thiacloprid' and 'fipronil'. They are neurotoxins (nerve poisons) that have been designed to attack the insect's central nervous system; causing paralysis and eventually death. Their target insects include vine weevils, aphids, whitefly, colorado potato beetle, termites and other sap sucking insects. As well as causing paralysis and death, neonicotinoids also produce other chronic and sub-lethal symptoms, (both in target and non target insects) such as interfering with the insect's navigation systems and, crucially, impairing their ability to groom themselves.
Neonicotinoids were introduced in the early nineties and are now the world's most widely used group of pesticides. They are used prophylactically instead of reactively, which is a little like us taking antibiotics throughout the year just in case we are exposed to someone with a chest infection in December.
They are water soluble and remain in the soil for many years. Their high persistency in soil and water results in a sustained exposure to these pesticides, not only to bees, but to other non-target organisms and pollinators, including aquatic invertebrates, moths, butterflies and hoverflies and (indirectly) bats, amphibians and insect eating birds.
"Neonicotinoid insecticides act by causing virtually irreversible blockage of postsynaptic nicotinergic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the central nervous system of insects. The damage is cumulative, and with every exposure more receptors are blocked. In fact, there may not be a safe level of exposure." Dutch toxicologist, Henk Tennekes.
Which crops are treated with neonicotinoids?
Neonicotinoids are used as seed treatments or soil treatments on over 140 different crops including soy, corn, wheat, cotton, legumes, potatoes, sugar-beet, sunflowers, rapeseed and flax. Until last year, they were used on the 740,000 acres of Californian Almond Trees. One third of all arable land in the UK now grows crops treated with neonicotinoids.
Less well known is the fact that 'Fipronil' (also a neonicotinoid), is used in flea treatments for dogs and cats.
How do neonicotinoids differ from other pesticides?
Until the introduction of insecticides such as neonicotinoids we were able to see pesticides with our own eyes as they were being sprayed onto our crops. Neonicotinoids, and some other groups of modern pesticides, work in a very different way. They are applied as seed dressings or soil treatments, appearing invisible so that many people, including some farmers, are unaware that they are even using them. Instead of being used reactively (i.e. after a problem has been identified) they are used 'prophylactically' which means crops are treated as a matter of course to safeguard them against the possibility of an attack by the pesticide's target insect. This is like human beings taking antibiotics all year round to protect us from the possibility of succumbing to a sore throat or flu.
The biggest difference between neonicotinoids and all other pesticides is that neonicotinoids work 'systemically'. This means that once the seed (or the soil in which the seed has been planted) has been coated/treated with the insecticide, that insecticide is then taken up through the entire plant via it's vascular system. So, it ends up in the plant's roots, stem, leaves, flowers, fruit, sap (guttation), pollen and nectar.....and it - does - not - wash - off.
We are told by DEFRA that this is ok. It is, apparently, 'safe' for bees and other pollinators to forage on crops whose seeds have been treated with neonicotinoids because they only ingest the pesticide in sub-lethal doses i.e. 'doses not large enough to cause death'. This might be ok if each bee only visited one plant and took one dose of 'sub-lethal' pollen in it's life time - but this, of course, is not the case.
Interestingly, when neonicotinoids were licensed for use and passed as 'safe for bees', this was done without them ever being tested for sub-lethal or chronic effects on bees.
Why I have written this particular blog post:
More and more people are now taking the time to write to supermarkets, DIY stores and garden centres to ask them to remove products that contain neonicotinoid pesticides from their shelves - and some are personally speaking to the managers in their local stores. However many are still not 100% sure exactly what neonicotinoids are or how they harm bees and other invertebrates.
It's good to be furnished with some facts when you speak to people who can influence policies, so I have written this short blog post to explain what they are
I'm sure there are better explanations out there, but in case you can't find one do please feel free to use this. It would great if you could also share this on twitter, facebook, forums and any other social networks you use.....the more people who understand what we're dealing with the better!
Please keep writing to your MPs asking them to pressurise our Secretary for the Environment, Mr Owen Paterson, to support the EC's proposed partial ban on neonicotinoids. You can use the wording on the Buglife website HERE to help you write your letter/email.
Please also ask your local supermarkets, DIY stores and garden centres to remove products containing these insecticides form their shelves. Especially Provado Ultimate Big Killer which, ironically and outrageously is currently being offered with 'free seeds for bees'!!!
Neonicotinoids were introduced in the early nineties and are now the world's most widely used group of pesticides. They are used prophylactically instead of reactively, which is a little like us taking antibiotics throughout the year just in case we are exposed to someone with a chest infection in December.
They are water soluble and remain in the soil for many years. Their high persistency in soil and water results in a sustained exposure to these pesticides, not only to bees, but to other non-target organisms and pollinators, including aquatic invertebrates, moths, butterflies and hoverflies and (indirectly) bats, amphibians and insect eating birds.
"Neonicotinoid insecticides act by causing virtually irreversible blockage of postsynaptic nicotinergic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the central nervous system of insects. The damage is cumulative, and with every exposure more receptors are blocked. In fact, there may not be a safe level of exposure." Dutch toxicologist, Henk Tennekes.
Which crops are treated with neonicotinoids?
Neonicotinoids are used as seed treatments or soil treatments on over 140 different crops including soy, corn, wheat, cotton, legumes, potatoes, sugar-beet, sunflowers, rapeseed and flax. Until last year, they were used on the 740,000 acres of Californian Almond Trees. One third of all arable land in the UK now grows crops treated with neonicotinoids.
Less well known is the fact that 'Fipronil' (also a neonicotinoid), is used in flea treatments for dogs and cats.
How do neonicotinoids differ from other pesticides?
The biggest difference between neonicotinoids and all other pesticides is that neonicotinoids work 'systemically'. This means that once the seed (or the soil in which the seed has been planted) has been coated/treated with the insecticide, that insecticide is then taken up through the entire plant via it's vascular system. So, it ends up in the plant's roots, stem, leaves, flowers, fruit, sap (guttation), pollen and nectar.....and it - does - not - wash - off.
We are told by DEFRA that this is ok. It is, apparently, 'safe' for bees and other pollinators to forage on crops whose seeds have been treated with neonicotinoids because they only ingest the pesticide in sub-lethal doses i.e. 'doses not large enough to cause death'. This might be ok if each bee only visited one plant and took one dose of 'sub-lethal' pollen in it's life time - but this, of course, is not the case.
Interestingly, when neonicotinoids were licensed for use and passed as 'safe for bees', this was done without them ever being tested for sub-lethal or chronic effects on bees.
Why I have written this particular blog post:
More and more people are now taking the time to write to supermarkets, DIY stores and garden centres to ask them to remove products that contain neonicotinoid pesticides from their shelves - and some are personally speaking to the managers in their local stores. However many are still not 100% sure exactly what neonicotinoids are or how they harm bees and other invertebrates.
It's good to be furnished with some facts when you speak to people who can influence policies, so I have written this short blog post to explain what they are
I'm sure there are better explanations out there, but in case you can't find one do please feel free to use this. It would great if you could also share this on twitter, facebook, forums and any other social networks you use.....the more people who understand what we're dealing with the better!
Please keep writing to your MPs asking them to pressurise our Secretary for the Environment, Mr Owen Paterson, to support the EC's proposed partial ban on neonicotinoids. You can use the wording on the Buglife website HERE to help you write your letter/email.
Please also ask your local supermarkets, DIY stores and garden centres to remove products containing these insecticides form their shelves. Especially Provado Ultimate Big Killer which, ironically and outrageously is currently being offered with 'free seeds for bees'!!!
Thanks for posting this, Katie Shepherd linked to it on facebook. Another problem for bees is that these poisons build up in the wax. Many beekeepers use wax foundation which may have been melted down and recycled many times. This means their bees are exposed to these pesticides even before they go out foraging on crops such as oil seed rape which if not organic is inevitably treated with neonicotinoids.
ReplyDeleteThe comment on wax is wrong, as neonicotinoids are water soluble, but not soluble in the organic wax, like many other pesticides, especially those used for treating varroa mites (Apistan, Coumaphos etc). But neonics appear everywhere where water also appear; in the whole plant including pollen and nectar, thus also in honey. The concentration in honey though, is so low that it is said not to be poisonous to humans. I dont know, but principally as it causes cumulative effects it should be dangerous in the long term.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your lovely comment!
ReplyDeleteHi Brigit,
ReplyDeleteI'm loving your blog :)
As a beekeeper I feel that the use of pesticides on crops is unfortunate but a necessary evil as they are proven ways of increasing crop yields and therefore, farmers profits and ability to survive.
As you probably know the EC has issued a two year moratorium on neonicotinoids in use on bee attractive crops. I have two issues with this ban and I'm sure Owen Paterson MP is thinking along the same lines when he opposes a ban.
Firstly, as you stated in your post, neonicotinoids stay in soil and water for long periods of time so two years is nowhere near enough time to see the levels drop sufficiently to see any significant effect
it's also a human experiment in the long term as this nerve poison has a cumulative effect. Humans also have the nAChRs receptors in the brain. Neonicotinoids may wipe out insects and bees in short order but wait and see what it does to you after a few years eh?
ReplyDelete"annie20 July 2013 12:10
ReplyDeleteit's also a human experiment in the long term as this nerve poison has a cumulative effect. Humans also have the nAChRs receptors in the brain. Neonicotinoids may wipe out insects and bees in short order but wait and see what it does to you after a few years eh?".............. people with compromised metabolic pathways could also have trouble with neonicotinoids. Symptoms such as heart arrhythmia a perfectly possible and in fact cases have absolutely ballooned this past ten years.
Wow, great article! I just watched Morgan Spurlock's "Inside Man" on CNN about bee collapse and the role that Neonicotinoids play. There are new studies out since you wrote this post and Europe has started banning all Neonicotinoids from the market. Last year they had only a 9 percent hive collapse! There is a direct connection. Thank you for your help in bringing awareness to the public about this horrible chemical disaster in the making. I'm putting a link to this blog on my Facebook page to spread the word. - Keith
ReplyDeleteGreat things you’ve always with us. Just keep writing this kind of posts.The time which was wasted in traveling for tuition now it can be used for studies.Thanks
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ReplyDeleteVery informational, I have got some bumble bees that drill holes in the wood in my barn, will try come after u if u leave them alone, and what kind?
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