Opinion: Neonicotinoids pose undocumented threats to food webs.

摘要: One of the main lessons that emerged from Silent Spring (1) is we overuse pesticides at our own peril because human and natural environments are unquestionably linked. It time to revisit these given current use patterns neonicotinoid insecticides. Neonicotinoids pose broader risks biodiversity food webs than previously recognized. Serious efforts must be made decrease scale their use. Image credit: Shutterstock/lantapix. Since introduction in early 1990s, neonicotinoids have become most widely used insecticides world. Their toxicity allows less active ingredients and, compared with older classes insecticides, they appear relatively low vertebrates, particularly mammals (2). Neonicotinoids been repeatedly called “perfect” for crop protection (2). Yet recent research calls this perfection into doubt as widespread environmental contaminants causing unexpected nontarget effects. In particular, researchers found can move treated plants pollinators pests enemies. Worse, transmission through simple chains portends widespread, undocumented entire webs. We believe Although further needed document ecosystem-wide consequences establish true costs benefits, serious use. In 2014, market exceeded $3 billion accounted about 25% global pesticide (3). popular part very good what do. fact, among toxic ever developed. The ingredient imidacloprid, example, 10,000 times more potent insects nicotine, biological inspiration a compound … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence may addressed. Email: sdfrank{at}ncsu.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1