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No influence of dust-off from seed treatments containing clothianidin on pheasant chicks 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
No influence of dust-off from seed treatments containing clothianidin on pheasant chicks
Study of the Baden-Württemberg Agricultural Centre, Germany
Monheim, March 4, 2010 – In November 2008 claims were made that dust-off from seed treatments containing clothianidin had caused harm to pheasant chicks. However, no studies existed to support these statements. The Baden-Württemberg Agricultural Centre has now published a study in which this issue was investigated. The study analysed the amounts of game taken and set them against data on weather conditions and the amounts of treated seed sown. The results show clearly that there is no evidence to confirm these conjectures. The study can be found under the following link: http://www.landwirtschaft-mlr.baden-wuerttemberg.de/servlet/PB/show/1298625/WfsM2010_1.pdf
Background information:
The food spectrum of pheasant chicks during the first four weeks after hatching is dominated by insects. After this, insects become less important and their place is taken increasingly by green matter and seeds (Christensen et al. 1996). Among the preferred insects in the diet of pheasant chicks are butterfly or moth larvae (Lepidoptera), grasshoppers (Gomphocerinae), adult ground beetles (Carabids) and leaf beetles (Janda 1965).
The assumption, on the other hand, that the insect prey spectrum of pheasant chicks was reduced by dust-off from seed treatments containing clothianidin is not plausible. Clothianidin shows a marked effect on smaller insect species such as aphids and whiteflies. Larger insect species, which dominate the food spectrum of pheasant chicks (adult ground beetles, grasshoppers and lepidoptera) are very much less susceptible. No short- or long-term effects could be observed, for example, in ground beetles even at substance amounts nearly equivalent to the entire application rate for one hectare (Kemmeter 2000). Effects on ants and grasshoppers also are to be observed only at higher active substance levels.
An additional factor is formed by the time difference between the sowing of maize and the hatching of pheasant chicks. The main laying period is between the end of April and the beginning of June (Manual of Central European Birds). With a laying phase of 10 days and a brooding period of 23-24 days, the hatching of the chicks occurs three weeks or more after maize sowing. However, an effect of seed treatment dust-off persisting over several weeks has not been observed even in highly susceptible honeybees.
Literature:
- Christensen, K. D., Falk, K. & Peterson, B. S. (1996): Feeding biology of Danish farmland birds. A literature study. Working Report No.12, Danish Environmental Protection Agency.
- Janda, J. 1965. The utility of young Pheasants. Prace vyzk.ústav lesn.hospod.mysl. 30: 69-99.
- Kemmeter, F. (2000): TI-435 50WDG: An extended laboratory study to evaluate the effect (acute toxicity and residual toxicity) on the ground beetle, Poecilus cupreus L. (Coleoptera, Carabidae); Report No.: 99209/01-NEPc.
About Bayer CropScience
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer CropScience AG, a subsidiary of Bayer AG with annual sales of about EUR 6.5 billion (2009), is one of the world’s leading innovative crop
science companies in the areas of crop protection, non-agricultural pest control, seeds and traits. The company offers an outstanding range of products and extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture and for non-agricultural applications. Bayer CropScience has a global workforce of 18,700 and is represented in more than 120 countries. This and further news is available at: www.press.bayercropscience.com.
Contact:
Dr. Hermann-Josef Baaken, Tel.: +49 2173 38-5598
E-mail: Hermann-josef.baaken@bayercropscience.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those described by Bayer in published reports. These reports are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.
Background information:
The food spectrum of pheasant chicks during the first four weeks after hatching is dominated by insects. After this, insects become less important and their place is taken increasingly by green matter and seeds (Christensen et al. 1996). Among the preferred insects in the diet of pheasant chicks are butterfly or moth larvae (Lepidoptera), grasshoppers (Gomphocerinae), adult ground beetles (Carabids) and leaf beetles (Janda 1965).
The assumption, on the other hand, that the insect prey spectrum of pheasant chicks was reduced by dust-off from seed treatments containing clothianidin is not plausible. Clothianidin shows a marked effect on smaller insect species such as aphids and whiteflies. Larger insect species, which dominate the food spectrum of pheasant chicks (adult ground beetles, grasshoppers and lepidoptera) are very much less susceptible. No short- or long-term effects could be observed, for example, in ground beetles even at substance amounts nearly equivalent to the entire application rate for one hectare (Kemmeter 2000). Effects on ants and grasshoppers also are to be observed only at higher active substance levels.
An additional factor is formed by the time difference between the sowing of maize and the hatching of pheasant chicks. The main laying period is between the end of April and the beginning of June (Manual of Central European Birds). With a laying phase of 10 days and a brooding period of 23-24 days, the hatching of the chicks occurs three weeks or more after maize sowing. However, an effect of seed treatment dust-off persisting over several weeks has not been observed even in highly susceptible honeybees.
Literature:
- Christensen, K. D., Falk, K. & Peterson, B. S. (1996): Feeding biology of Danish farmland birds. A literature study. Working Report No.12, Danish Environmental Protection Agency.
- Janda, J. 1965. The utility of young Pheasants. Prace vyzk.ústav lesn.hospod.mysl. 30: 69-99.
- Kemmeter, F. (2000): TI-435 50WDG: An extended laboratory study to evaluate the effect (acute toxicity and residual toxicity) on the ground beetle, Poecilus cupreus L. (Coleoptera, Carabidae); Report No.: 99209/01-NEPc.
About Bayer CropScience
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, nutrition and high-tech materials. Bayer CropScience AG, a subsidiary of Bayer AG with annual sales of about EUR 6.5 billion (2009), is one of the world’s leading innovative crop
science companies in the areas of crop protection, non-agricultural pest control, seeds and traits. The company offers an outstanding range of products and extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture and for non-agricultural applications. Bayer CropScience has a global workforce of 18,700 and is represented in more than 120 countries. This and further news is available at: www.press.bayercropscience.com.
Contact:
Dr. Hermann-Josef Baaken, Tel.: +49 2173 38-5598
E-mail: Hermann-josef.baaken@bayercropscience.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer Group or subgroup management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those described by Bayer in published reports. These reports are available on the Bayer website at www.bayer.com. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.
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