My article “Do neonicotinoids affect other wildlife as well as bees? The new DDT?” made me realise that to keep abreast of this mounting evidence that they do affect other non targeted wildlife, I decided to collate science papers and corresponding press articles to allow people who don’t generally have access to the scientific knowledge enabling you to make a more informed choice.

Need relevant information to petition? 

If you want to write and petition your MPs, MEPs, Local Council, etc., and need some background information you can quote independent researchers. It bring some examples under one roof. Of course there are many more articles. This is just a glimpse and may save you a little time!

For people who like the science written in a more manageable reading style, I have, if possible, included a quality press/news release article!

Small Tortoiseshell Nurturing Nature

1. Butterfly decline               Press article  Independent

2. Decline insectivorous birds    press article Bird Guides     see explanation video

Adult tree sparrow feeding one of its young

Adult tree sparrow feeding one of its young

Simply put, kill insects and you deprive insect eating birds of food e.g. Tree Sparrow, Starling, Swallow

3. Dragonflies/damselflies  caddisfly and other aquatic invertebrates   press article Guardian

Large red damselfly ovipositing Nurturing Nature

4. Composting worm Eisenia fetida  (described as super toxic)    press article  New Scientist

5. Wildflowers are neonicotinoid reservoirs     press article Guardian

6. Fish  (reduced food supply)     press article  Nature World News

7. Lizards   (reduced food supply)   press article  New Scientist

8. Mayflies (highly toxic) news release University of Sussex

9. Earthworms (Lumbricidae) ( live in soil not compost heaps!) press article Independent

10. Predatory beetles (of slugs… decrease in yields…‘For some reason, snail-like mollusks seem to be almost immune to the effects of insecticides’ Rachel Carson)  news release The Cornucopia Institute

11. Partridge ( eating seeds)  news release   University of Sussex

Download the recently published scientific report undertaken by 29 independent scientists from 4 continents which found unequivocal evidence from 800 peer reviewed scientific reports on neonicotinoids, as part of the Task Force on Systemic Pesticides, “World Integrated Assessment

Titles of science papers in case links disappear!

  1. Are neonicotinoid insecticides driving declines of widespread butterflies?
  2. Declines in insectivorous birds are associated with high neonicotinoid concentrations
  3. Macro-Invertebrate Decline in Surface Water Polluted with Imidacloprid
  4. Comparative acute toxicity of twenty-four insecticides to earthworm, Eisenia fetida
  5. Neonicotinoid Residues in Wildflowers, a Potential Route of Chronic Exposure for Bees
  6. A review of the direct and indirect effects of neonicotinoids and fipronil on vertebrate wildlife
  7. A review of the direct and indirect effects of neonicotinoids and fipronil on vertebrate wildlife
  8. Acute and chronic toxicity of neonicotinoids to nymphs of a mayfly species and some notes on seasonal differences
  9. A review of the direct and indirect effects of neonicotinoids and fipronil on vertebrate wildlife
  10. Neonicotinoid insecticide travels through a soil food chain, disrupting biological control of non-target pests and decreasing soya bean yield
  11. An overview of the environmental risks posed by neonicotinoid insecticides

Thanks Roy & Marie for tree sparrow photo with an excellent web site for UK wildlife photos.