Neonicotinoid contamination in conservation areas affects bees more sharply than beetles

The neurotoxic insecticide class of neonicotinoids has become one of the most widely used groups of pesticides globally. Their long half-lives and high water solubility increase their potential to linger and affect numerous organisms long after application. A prominent concern associated with residual contamination is the negative impact that neonicotinoids can have on beneficial arthropods such as bees and certain groups of beetles. Many studies have looked at the effects neonicotinoids have on arthropod communities in lab settings; however, comparatively few studies have looked at these groups in neonicotinoid-contaminated restored prairie habitats. These habitats are often restored from or located near agriculture and are almost ubiquitously contaminated with neonicotinoids. Our one-year manipulated field study compared native bee nesting rates and beetle community assemblages between paired clothianidin-contaminated and non-contaminated restored prairie plots. Native bee nesting probability and nesting abundance increased by 46% and 172%, respectively, in sites contaminated with clothianidin. Conversely, we observed no significant differences in beetle family assemblages, abundance, or richness between clothianidin-contaminated and control sites. These results suggest that neonicotinoid contamination of natural habitats can have numerous environmental consequences for arthropods and that these effects are not always consistent between taxa. Understanding how neonicotinoid contamination affects beneficial groups such as bees and arthropod community assemblages is crucial for characterizing the risks these chemicals pose to ecologically imperative taxa

Evaluation of native bee nesting rates and beetle community assemblages in the presence of clothianidin in the soil of natural areas

The neurotoxic insecticide class of neonicotinoids has become one of the most widely used groups of insecticides in recent years. They exhibit long half-lives and have the potential to linger in the environment and affect arthropod communities long after application. Many studies have looked at the effects neonicotinoids have on arthropod communities in a lab setting, however comparatively few studies have looked at arthropod communities and neonicotinoid contamination in restored prairie habitats. This study was aimed towards better understanding the impact of the common neonicotinoid clothianidin, on native bee and beetle communities in restored prairie settings. For native bees, we found that nesting probability and nesting abundance increased in sites contaminated with clothianidin. Conversely, we did not see differences in beetle family assemblages between clothianidin contaminated and control sites; however, beetle feeding guild abundances and trophic interactions between feeding guilds were influenced by clothianidin contamination. These results suggest that neonicotinoid contamination of natural habitats can have a number of environmental consequences for arthropods and that these effects are not always consistent between taxa or feeding guild. Further trophic interactions between beetle feeding guilds in conjunction with clothianidin are discussed, as well as implications of clothianidin contamination on both bees and beetles in prairie restorations.U of I OnlyAuthor requested U of Illinois access only (OA after 2yrs) in Vireo ETD syste

DataSheet_1_Neonicotinoid contamination in conservation areas affects bees more sharply than beetles.docx

The neurotoxic insecticide class of neonicotinoids has become one of the most widely used groups of pesticides globally. Their long half-lives and high water solubility increase their potential to linger and affect numerous organisms long after application. A prominent concern associated with residual contamination is the negative impact that neonicotinoids can have on beneficial arthropods such as bees and certain groups of beetles. Many studies have looked at the effects neonicotinoids have on arthropod communities in lab settings; however, comparatively few studies have looked at these groups in neonicotinoid-contaminated restored prairie habitats. These habitats are often restored from or located near agriculture and are almost ubiquitously contaminated with neonicotinoids. Our one-year manipulated field study compared native bee nesting rates and beetle community assemblages between paired clothianidin-contaminated and non-contaminated restored prairie plots. Native bee nesting probability and nesting abundance increased by 46% and 172%, respectively, in sites contaminated with clothianidin. Conversely, we observed no significant differences in beetle family assemblages, abundance, or richness between clothianidin-contaminated and control sites. These results suggest that neonicotinoid contamination of natural habitats can have numerous environmental consequences for arthropods and that these effects are not always consistent between taxa. Understanding how neonicotinoid contamination affects beneficial groups such as bees and arthropod community assemblages is crucial for characterizing the risks these chemicals pose to ecologically imperative taxa.</p