Articles tagged with Insecticides
A recent investigation by the Environmental Working Group found that the EPA has failed to apply an extra margin of safety to legal limits for pesticides in food, putting children at risk. The study examined 47 non-organophosphate pesticides and found that only five cases had the required tenfold safety factor applied.
Researchers have identified 10 compounds with insecticidal activity produced by symbiotic microbes in a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, potentially leading to new natural pesticides. The substances were strongly toxic to aphids and moderately toxic to spider mites.
Researchers found that neonicotinoid seed treatments have driven a significant increase in insecticide toxicity to honey bees, particularly oral-based toxic loads, which rose by 9-fold across the US. The study highlights the need for mitigation and conservation efforts in regions with high levels of insecticide use.
A recent study found a 50% increase in total mortality and three-fold increase in heart disease deaths in individuals with high 3-PBA levels, a metabolite of pyrethroids. The study's findings challenge the assumption that these insecticides are safe, particularly for vulnerable populations.
Researchers at Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine identified a new mechanism by which mosquitoes become resistant to insecticides. The SAP2 binding protein in the legs plays a key role in this process.
Researchers have designed a new bednet that can kill mosquitoes more efficiently than existing nets, minimizing risk to people inside the net. The Barrier Bednet, with an extra panel of netting above the roof, was highly effective against insecticide-resistant mosquitoes in Burkina Faso.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a novel bednet design with a barrier that can significantly improve its performance and reduce insecticide use. The barrier design has been shown to be 100% effective in protecting against malaria-transmitting mosquitoes, restoring the efficiency of bednets in Africa.
A study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers links piperonyl butoxide, a common insecticide synergist, to stunted forebrain development and facial abnormalities in mice. The chemical's interference with the sonic hedgehog signaling pathway suggests a potential link to rare human birth defects like holoprosencephaly.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have developed an efficient method for synthesizing bilobalide, a plant compound with potent effects on insects but no toxicity to humans. The new synthesis allows easy access to related compounds for potential use as medicines and insecticides.
A new study reveals that DFDT, a faster and less toxic insecticide than DDT, was created by German scientists during WWII. The compound kills insects more quickly and in smaller amounts, potentially minimizing its environmental impact.
A new study found that songbirds exposed to neonicotinoid insecticides experience anorexic behavior, reduced body weight, and delayed migratory itineraries. This is the first direct evidence of a mechanistic link between the pesticide and declining migratory bird populations.
Researchers found that neonicotinoids in contaminated honeydew can kill a majority of hoverflies and parasitic wasps within 3 days. Beneficial insects fed on nectar or pollen from treated trees were not affected.
Copy-number variants (CNVs) play a crucial role in the development of insecticide resistance in malaria mosquitoes. The study found that CNVs were more likely to occur in genes associated with detoxification, suggesting a rapid evolutionary response to insecticides.
A new study by Oregon State University researchers identifies optimal locations and timing for releasing samurai wasps to control the brown marmorated stink bug, which devastates gardens and crops. The wasps lay eggs inside stink bug eggs, preventing hatching and reducing pest damage.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found a negative combination between neonicotinoid insecticides and the Varroa mite, weakening honeybee colonies. The researchers observed a synergistic effect on body mass and survival rates, particularly in winter bees, compromising colony survivorship.
Researchers found that a nonlethal dose of insecticide curtailed the lives of bees by up to 50% and altered the behavior of worker bees when combined with a fungicide, potentially jeopardizing colony survival. The study suggests that the impact of pesticides on bees could be worse than previously thought.
A new statistical framework has been developed to evaluate the effectiveness of mosquito control programs across various time and space scales. The model, applied to a citywide intervention in Iquitos, Peru, found that insecticide spraying reduced Ae. aegypti populations by an average of 67%.
The use of chloropicrin as a preplant soil treatment measure has been found to suppress soilborne pathogenic fungi and some nematodes and insects. Additionally, it results in greater crop yield and health, with treated soil having a healthier root system, improved water use, and more efficient fertilizer use.
A study published in Environmental Research found higher blood pressure and pesticide exposures in children associated with a heightened pesticide spraying period around the Mother's Day flower harvest. Children examined sooner after the harvest had higher pesticide exposures and higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures.
Scientists at UC San Diego developed a new CRISPR-based 'allelic drive' to selectively swap genetic variants, allowing precise editing of specific traits in populations. The technology has potential applications in agricultural pests, disease-carrying insects, and conservation efforts.
A study by Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine found that complete window screening coverage was associated with a 92% reduction in malaria prevalence. Mosquito biting rates were also reduced, highlighting the potential impact of simple interventions on malaria transmission.
Research found that combining insecticide thiacloprid with fungicide tebuconazole increases toxic effects on parasitoid wasps, potentially harming ecosystems. This synergy is a concern for agroecosystems and should influence pesticide risk assessment.
Researchers found that treating bed nets with atovaquone can effectively reduce malaria transmission and mitigate insecticide resistance. The study showed that mosquitoes were completely blocked from developing Plasmodium falciparum, the parasite that causes malaria.
Research from Oregon State University found that microplastic capsules encasing insecticides increased toxicity in water fleas, highlighting the need for reevaluation of encapsulation's environmental impact.
The ESSENTIALS project aims to develop robust entomological indicators for assessing the public health value of new vector control tools, reducing the need for lengthy trials.
New research identifies insecticide combinations that are lethal to honeybees and their larvae, leading to a recommendation to stop using these chemicals during almond bloom. The study's findings have already led to changes in industry practices, with many growers backing off insecticide use.
A new study from North Carolina State University finds that total release foggers, or bug bombs, are ineffective in removing cockroaches from indoor environments. The products leave behind toxic residues on surfaces and fail to reach areas where cockroaches congregate, such as under surfaces and inside cabinets.
A Michigan State University study found a strong association between high pesticide exposure and impaired sense of smell in aging farmers. Researchers discovered that washing with soap and water within three hours can mitigate the risk, but waiting longer increases it.
Scientists at North Carolina State University and CDC develop technique to measure insecticide distribution on mosquito netting. This allows determination of how long the nets remain effective in killing mosquitoes.
A study published in Nature Communications has uncovered additional mechanisms of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes, which had not been previously recognized. The research used a bioinformatics approach to integrate data from multiple studies and identified new gene families and pathways involved in resistance.
Leading researchers urge government intervention to phase out organophosphates, citing evidence of lower IQs and difficulties with learning in children exposed prenatally. The review calls for reduced exposures through monitoring, education, and alternative pest-control measures.
Exposure to neonicotinoids as tadpoles impairs wood frogs' ability to flee from predators, with affected individuals jumping or moving less. However, physical abilities like distance jumped and refuge finding remain unaffected.
Treating community dogs with systemic insecticides can significantly reduce visceral leishmaniasis transmission in Brazil. A mathematical model estimated that 70% of community dogs need to be treated with an 80% effective insecticide for six months to halve the number of cases.
A 3-year study by Lund University found organic farming stabilizes pollinator diversity in crop fields by providing more stable flower resources. This effect is seen even in conventional farms with reduced pesticide use.
Researchers have discovered genetic landmarks associated with soybean aphid resistance in thousands of varieties, paving the way for developing new resistant varieties. This breakthrough could provide an alternative to insecticides, reducing environmental issues and crop losses.
A European project aims to make pheromones an affordable alternative to conventional insecticides. Researchers are developing biotechnology-based pheromone production to reduce costs and environmental impact. The goal is to protect crops from pests like the fall armyworm, which poses a major threat to food security.
A large-scale study confirms pesticides negatively affect bee learning and memory abilities, even at field-realistic dosages. Bees exposed to pesticides are less likely to learn and memorize rewarding scents.
A University of Guelph study found residues of neonicotinoids in the livers of nearly 10% of wild turkey carcasses, suggesting that free-ranging animals are ingesting these insecticides. The researchers also discovered corn and soybean seeds coated with neonicotinoids in some birds' digestive systems.
A study found that exposure to neonicotinoid insecticide and a poor diet negatively impacted bumblebee queens' health, work, and nest establishment. Bumblebees are key pollinators of crops like tomato and blueberry.
A meta-analysis of 44 studies on neonicotinoid insecticides' effects on arthropod performance found similar negative impacts on abundance, behavior, condition, reproductive success, and survival. The research suggests that these insecticides affect not only pollinators but also detritivores and predators.
Researchers present studies on community health workers using mini-malaria clinics and new bednets, finding high treatment success rates. Alternative solutions, such as insecticide-treated housing and blankets, are also being explored to fight malaria in conflict zones.
A study published in Malaria Journal found that ambient temperature impacts the toxicity of commonly used insecticides against malaria vectors. The researchers explored the effect of temperature on pyrethroid and carbamate insecticides, revealing that temperature affects their efficacy differently for resistant and susceptible strains.
A two-year trial showed that a long-lasting insecticidal net treated with piperonyl butoxide reduced malaria prevalence by 44% and 33% compared to standard nets. The study also demonstrated unprecedented control through indoor residual spraying, reducing infection by 48%. WHO has revised its recommendations for the use of these novel n...
Research shows that exposure to pesticides and herbicides can impair honey bees' sense of taste and ability to learn, affecting hive efficiency and pollination capabilities. Young worker bees are particularly vulnerable, even if they have not left the hive.
A randomized controlled trial found that a new bed net coated with piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and pyrethroid insecticide reduced malaria prevalence in children by 44%, compared to standard nets, over one year. The WHO recommends increasing coverage of PBO bed nets in areas where resistance to pyrethroids is developing.
Researchers at Uppsala University discovered a peptide toxin in the bootlace worm that can paralyze and kill crustaceans and cockroaches, with potential applications in agricultural insecticides. The toxin affects sodium channels, causing electric signalling in nerves and muscles, leading to paralysis.
A recent study reveals that differences in metabolic enzyme activity break down pesticide chemicals, explaining bee sensitivity. Researchers found specific enzymes like CYP9Q3 and CYP9Q4 responsible for tolerance to thiacloprid and imidacloprid, respectively.
A joint study by the University of Exeter and Bayer AG has identified key enzymes in honeybees and bumblebees responsible for their sensitivity to neonicotinoid pesticides. This breakthrough provides valuable tools to screen new pesticides early in development, potentially avoiding costly restrictions on their use.
The widespread adoption of Bt field corn led to significant reductions in European corn borer and corn earworm infestations. This resulted in lower recommended insecticide sprays, total insecticides applied, and crop damages on pepper, green bean, and sweet corn crops.
A global scientific review finds that systemic pesticides like neonicotinoids are not as effective as once thought and can be replaced by alternative pest-management strategies. The study identifies diverse approaches, including ecological corridors, crop rotation, and biocontrol, to reduce environmental harm.
A large-scale study has found that residue levels in pollen and nectar from thiamethoxam-treated seeds do not harm bees, with no effect on colony survival. The research involved individual honey bees and 84 colonies, providing a robust threshold for assessing potential risk.
A study of over 7,500 children in Sudan found that indoor nonpyrethroid insecticide spraying was more effective at reducing malaria incidence than pyrethroid spraying. The increased cost of using nonpyrethroid insecticides is relatively low, suggesting that resistance to pyrethroids may be driving the switch.
A recent study by Cornell University researchers found that fungicides can harm bumblebees, particularly when used in combination with insecticides. Chlorothalonil, a general-use fungicide, has been linked to stunted colony growth and increased vulnerability to Nosema, a fatal gut infection.
A systematic review found that indoor spraying had some effect on either mosquito populations or dengue case numbers, with stronger evidence for adult mosquito populations. The study concluded that more research is needed, but the results are promising as a vector control method.
Researchers have created an insecticide potion that mimics the scent of flowers and nectar, luring mosquitoes into feeding on it, which is lethal. The 'Vectrax' formulation has shown promising results in suppressing malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases worldwide.
A study evaluated the effectiveness of chemical insecticides and the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana against western flower thrips on broccoli and lettuce. The results suggest that incorporating biopesticides like Beauveria bassiana into Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices can help manage thrip populations effectively.
Scientists have identified over 17,000 protein coding genes in the genomes of two closely related megapests, providing a detailed understanding of their genetics and potential weaknesses. This information could lead to the development of new pest management strategies and reduce control costs by billions of dollars annually.
A study found that excessive chemical applications in Bangladeshi lychee orchards may have triggered acute encephalitis syndrome, killing 13 children. The chemicals, including the banned endosulfan, were applied liberally and included residues on clothing worn into homes.
A new open-access guide provides best practices for protecting pollinators like bees and butterflies while reducing pests in lawns and fields. Methods include mowing before applying insecticides and creating pollinator habitat strips, which can reduce the hazard to pollinating insects.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended BASF's Interceptor(R) G2, a long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito net containing chlorfenapyr, for malaria prevention. The new product is the first to be approved from a new chemical class since the 1980s and offers a promising solution to combat malaria resistance.