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Montaigu-Goulson2022_Article_FieldEvidenceOfUKWildBirdExpos.pdf (1.23 MB)

Field evidence of UK wild bird exposure to fludioxonil and extrapolation to other pesticides used as seed treatments

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posted on 2023-06-10, 03:41 authored by Cannelle TASSIN DE MONTAIGUCannelle TASSIN DE MONTAIGU, Dave GoulsonDave Goulson
We determine the exposure of wild birds to pesticides via consumption of fludioxonil-treated winter wheat seeds following autumn drilling. We recorded the density of seeds left on the soil surface, bird density, and consumption of pesticide-treated seed by birds using camera traps. We calculated the dose ingested by each bird species in a single feeding bout and if they ate treated seeds exclusively for 1 day. We extrapolated this for an additional 19 pesticides commonly used as seed treatments, assuming equal consumption rates. All three fields contained grains on the soil surface (mean 7.14 seeds/m2 on sowing day). In total, 1,374 granivorous birds spanning 18 different species were observed in the fields, with 11 species filmed eating the seeds. Fludioxonil appears to pose a low risk to birds, with <1.14% of the LD50 potentially ingested by a bird for a daily maximum amount of seeds. Analysis of the further 19 pesticides commonly used as seed dressings suggests that the neonicotinoid insecticides imidacloprid, clothianidin, and thiamethoxam represent the highest risk for granivorous birds. For example, chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) could consume 63% of LD50 of imidacloprid in a single feeding bout, and 370% in a day. Further investigation is clearly required to determine whether seeds treated with these other pesticides are consumed as readily as those treated with fludioxonil, as if so this is likely to cause significant harm.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Environmental Science and Pollution Research

ISSN

0944-1344

Publisher

Springer

Issue

15

Volume

29

Page range

22151-22162

Event location

Germany

Department affiliated with

  • Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2022-05-26

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2022-05-26

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2022-05-26

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