Abstract

Neonicotinoid insecticides like thiacloprid enter agricultural surface waters, where they may affect predator prey-interactions, which are of central importance for ecosystems as well as the functions these systems provide. The effects of field relevant thiacloprid concentrations on the leaf consumption of Gammarus fossarum (Amphipoda) were assessed over 96 h (n = 13-17) in conjunction with its predation on Baetis rhodani (Ephemeroptera) nymphs. The predation by Gammarus increased significantly at 0.50-1.00 mu g/L. Simultaneously, its leaf consumption decreased with increasing thiacloprid concentration. As a consequence of the increased predation at 1.00 mu g/L, gammarids' dry weight rose significantly by 15% compared to the control. At 4.00 mu g/L, the reduced leaf consumption was not compensated by an increase in predation causing a significantly reduced dry weight of Gammarus (similar to 20%). These results may finally suggest that thiacloprid adversely affects trophic interactions, potentially translating into alterations in ecosystem functions, like leaf litter breakdown and aquatic-terrestrial subsidies. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

Predator-prey interaction; Leaf decomposition; Aquatic-terrestrial subsidies; Gammarus; Baetis; Neonicotinoid; Thiacloprid

Published in

Environmental Pollution
2012, Volume: 167, pages: 41-46
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD

UKÄ Subject classification

Other Biological Topics


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2012.03.024

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/63634