Common insecticides are riskier than thought to predatory insects

Date: December 7, 2016

Source: Penn State

Summary:

Neonicotinoids -- the most widely used class of insecticides -- significantly reduce populations of predatory insects when used as seed coatings, according to researchers. The team's research challenges the previously held belief that neonicotinoid seed coatings have little to no effect on predatory insect populations. In fact, the work suggests that neonicotinoids reduce populations of insect predators as much as broadcast applications of commonly used pyrethroid insecticides.

See more at:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/12/161207151257.htm