Abstract
A major point of concern in ecotoxicology is the effects of pesticides on nontarget organisms. This can impact the ecological role played by certain beneficial species in nature. Regarding neonicotinoid insecticides such as imidacloprid (IMI), several measures, including limited trade, restrictive use, and ban have been implemented in Europe and the USA but not globally. The goal of our study was to evaluate the potential risk of this still widely used agrochemical on the behaviour of mosquito larvae (Culicidae) and the escape behaviour of earthworms (Lumbricidae). Changes in breathing, swimming and resting were recorded in mosquitoes postexposure to 0, 1 and 2 mg IMI/L for 10 min. Earthworms were topically exposed in water for 2 minutes to 0, 5, 10 and 20 mg IMI/L. The escape behaviour (initial escape distance and speed) of the earthworms were recorded. In culicids, resting particularly was significantly increased by the exposure to imidacloprid (p < 0.05). In earthworms, the initial escape distance was statistically longer (p < 0.05) when fleeing from the 5 mg IMI/L solution than the solutions with the two highest concentrations. The worms exposed to the 5 mg IMI/L reacted faster than those exposed to the higher concentrations, which explained the long distance covered in the same amount of time. These results point to the relatively quick onset of the neurotoxic effects of imidacloprid, crippling earthworms and altering the buoyancy of mosquito larvae. The ecological consequences of these findings on the completion of life cycles and the survival of these species in nature are yet to be established.
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Data availability
Data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author nyokawinnie@gmail.com.
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Author contribution
NN: Supervised PAAT, was involved in manuscript writing, proofreading, formatting, and submission. PAAT: Conducted part of research and wrote the first manuscript draught pertaining to that part. SSM: Conducted part of research and wrote the first manuscript draught pertaining to that part. SMM: Oversaw (and was involved in) manuscript writing, proofreading, general and reference formatting. TF: Co-supervised SSM, was involved in the Culicidae study conception and overall manuscript proofreading. PV-O: Funding acquisition, conception of Culicidae and Lumbricidae studies, supervision/co-supervision of SSM/PAAT, Data analysis, manuscript writing, and proofreading.
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This study was supported by a grant to PVO from the QwaQwa Campus Research Committee of the University of the Free State (UFS), South Africa. PAAT was funded by National Research Foundation (NRF), award number MND190920478274, while doing part of this study. The UFS Postgraduate School provided financial support to the UFS Department of Zoology and Entomology—QwaQwa Campus for a writing retreat to finalise manuscript writing and submission.
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This research falls within a larger project entitled “Ecotoxicological and bacteriological assessment of water resources in the Afromontane region of the eastern Free State” - Approved by the Animal Research Ethics of the University of the Free State (South Africa) on 03-May-2016. Project Number: UFS-AED2016/0067.
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Tsotesti, P.A.A., Mazibuko, S.S., Nyoka, N.WK. et al. Behavioural changes and flight response of a mosquito (Culicidae) and an earthworm (Lumbricidae), respectively, after exposure to imidacloprid. Ecotoxicology 31, 367–375 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-021-02513-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-021-02513-3