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Exposure to insecticides may contribute to global insect declines due to sublethal insecticide effects on non-target species. Thus far, much research on non-target insecticide effects has focused on neonicotinoids in a few bee species. Much less is known about effects on other insect taxa or newer insecticides, such as sulfoxaflor. Here, we studied the effects of an acute insecticide exposure on both olfactory and visual learning in free-moving Polistes fuscatus paper wasps. Wasps were exposed to a single, field realistic oral dose of either low dose imidacloprid, high dose imidacloprid, or sulfoxaflor. Then, visual and olfactory learning and short-term memory were assessed. We found that acute insecticide exposure influenced performance, as sulfoxaflor and high dose imidacloprid exposed wasps made fewer correct choices than control wasps. Notably, both visual and olfactory performance were similarly impaired. Wasps treated with high dose imidacloprid were also less likely to complete the learning assay than wasps from other treatment groups. Instead, wasps remained stationary and unmoving in the testing area, consistent with imidacloprid interfering with motor control. Finally, wasps treated with sulfoxaflor were more likely to die in the week after treatment than wasps in the other treatment groups. Our findings demonstrate that sublethal, field-realistic dosages of both neonicotinoid and sulfoximine-based insecticides impair wasp learning and short-term memory may have additional effects on survival and motor functioning. Insecticides have broadly detrimental effects on diverse non-target insects that may influence foraging effectiveness, pollination services, and ecosystem function.
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This content will become publicly available on April 1, 2026
Responses of Non-Target Arthropods to the dsRNA Bioinsecticide Calantha™ and Conventional Insecticides Targeting Colorado Potato Beetle, Leptinotarsa Decemlineata (Say)
Abstract Management of the Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata) is reliant on conventional insecticides that can negatively affect non-target arthropods. Calantha™ (active ingredient: ledprona) is a sprayable double-stranded RNA biopesticide specific forL decemlineataproteasome subunit beta 5 gene that triggers the RNA-interference pathway and is designed to have limited non-target effects. To test this hypothesis, we conducted two years of field trials in Idaho, Wisconsin, and Maine comparing arthropod responses to different insecticide regimes, with and without Calantha, targeting the Colorado potato beetle. Comparisons of arthropod abundance among treatments showed no evidence of effects of Calantha on non-target arthropods, including beneficials (predators, parasitoids), “neutrals” (i.e., non-pests), and other beetle species. Conventional insecticides generally showed more non-target effects, and responses were always stronger for arthropods from vacuum samples than pitfall samples. Insecticide programs featuring Calantha, especially in rotation with other biorational products, may reduce pests while preserving beneficial arthropods and contribute to biological control of arthropod pests in potato fields.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1922560
- PAR ID:
- 10654459
- Publisher / Repository:
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- American Journal of Potato Research
- Volume:
- 102
- Issue:
- 2
- ISSN:
- 1099-209X
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 129 to 151
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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