Pyrethrin insecticide effects on bees and beneficial agricultural insects & Fish & Cats

Pyrethrins are “highly toxic” to bees; 0.02 micrograms is sufficient to kill a bee.50 Toxicity of commercial pyrethrin products to bees was demonstrated by an entomologist at Auburn University who showed that a commercial pyrethrin insecticide caused 100 percent “knockdown,” the inability of the bee to walk or fly. Some of the inert ingredients used in pyrethrin products appear to increase knockdown potency.51

It is not surprising that pyrethrins, because they are insecticides, are toxic to agriculturally useful insects and spiders. The International Organization for Biological Control found that a commercial pyrethrin product killed over 99 percent of two parasitoid wasps and a predatory fly. (Parasitoids are insects which develop in and kill the eggs or larvae of another species.) This study also found pyrethrins caused 80 percent mortality of two other parasitoid species, a fly and a wasp.52 Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station researchers found that pyrethrins killed four common species of wasp that are parasitoids of house and stable flies in dairies.53 Another study found that Both the pyrethrin products tested led to 100% mortality in the adult parasitic wasps and ladybird larvae on glass plates and plants. 54

50. Gabriel, K.L. and R. Mark. 1995. Environmental toxicology of pyrethrum extract. In Pyrethrum flowers: production, chemistry, toxicology, and uses, ed. J.E. Casida and G.B. Quistad. New York NY: Oxford University Press. Pp. 277-283.

51. Appel, A. G. 1990. Knockdown efficiency and materials’ compatibility of wasp and hornet spray formulations to honey bees (Hymenoptera:

Apidae). J. Econ. Entomol. 83: 1925-1931.

52. Hassan, S.A. et al. 1983. Results of the second joint pesticide testing programme by the IOBC/WPRS-working group “Pesticides and Beneficial

Arthropods.” Z. ang. Ent. 95: 151-158.

53. Rutz, D.A. and J.G. Scott. 1990. Susceptibility of muscoid fly parasitoids to insecticides used in dairy facilities. In Biocontrol of arthropods affecting

livestock and poultry, ed. D.A. Rutz and R.S. Patterson. Boulder CO: Westview Press. Pp. 247-263.

54. Effects of organic-farming-compatible insecticides on four aphid natural enemy species. Jansen JP, Defrance T, Warnier AM. Pest Manag Sci. 2010 Jun;66(6):650-6.

Pyrethrum is highly toxic to bees. The average lethal dose (LD50) for honeybees was measured at .022 micrograms per bee (Casida and Quistad 1995). Direct hits on honeybees and beneficial wasps are likely to be lethal (Cox 2002). http://extoxnet.orst.edu/pips/pyrethri.htm

I N S E C T I C I D E F A C T S H E E T PYRETHRINS/PYRETHRUM JOURNAL OF PESTICIDE REFORM/ SPRING 2002 • VOL. 22, NO. 1 www.pesticide.org/PyrethrinsPyrethrum.pdf

http://extoxnet.orst.edu/pips/pyrethri.htm

& www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez

Comparative toxicity of pesticides to stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Meliponini). Valdovinos-Núñez GR, Quezada-Euán JJ, Ancona-Xiu P, Moo-Valle H, Carmona A, Ruiz Sanchez E. J Econ Entomol. 2009 Oct;102(5):1737-42.

Synergistic interactions between in-hive miticides in Apis mellifera. Johnson RM, Pollock HS, Berenbaum MR. J Econ Entomol. 2009 Apr;102(2):474-9.

Is acetylcholinesterase a pertinent biomarker to detect exposure of pyrethroids? A study case with deltamethrin. Badiou A, Belzunces LP. Chem Biol Interact. 2008 Sep 25;175(1-3):406-9. Epub 2008 Jun 13.

Pesticide residues in beeswax samples collected from honey bee colonies (Apis mellifera L.) in France. Chauzat MP, Faucon JP. Pest Manag Sci. 2007 Nov;63(11):1100-6.

Impact of alpha-cypermethrin on honey bees foraging on spring oilseed rape (Brassica napus) flowers in field conditions. Karise R,Viik E, Mänd M. Pest Manag Sci. 2007 Nov;63(11):1085-9.

Statistical analysis of honeybee survival after chronic exposure to insecticides. Dechaume Moncharmont FX, Decourtye A, Hennequet-Hantier C, Pons O, Pham-Delègue MH. Environ Toxicol Chem. 2003 Dec;22(12):3088-94.

Hazards of insecticides to the bumble bees Bombus impatiens (Hymenoptera: Apidae) foraging on flowering white clover in turf. Gels JA, Held DW, Potter DA. J Econ Entomol. 2002 Aug;95(4):722-8.

Effects of fluvalinate and coumaphos on queen honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in two commercial queen rearing operations. Haarmann T, Spivak M, Weaver D, Weaver B, Glenn T. J Econ Entomol. 2002 Feb;95(1):28-35.

Pyrethrins are extremely toxic to bees, fish, and other aquatic animals. Pyrethrin is extremely toxic to aquatic life, such as bluegill and lake trout while it is slightly toxic to bird species, such as mallards. Toxicity increases with higher water temperatures and acidity. Natural pyrethrins are highly fat soluble, but are easily degraded and thus do not accumulate in the body. www.pesticide.org/PyrethrinsPyrethrum.pdf

http://extoxnet.orst.edu/pips/pyrethri.htm

Pyrethrins are “extremely toxic to fish,” according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.46 Median lethal concentrations (the concentration that kills half of a test population) range from 9 to 58 parts per billion. Pyrethrins are more toxic to fish in warm water than in cold water.47 Aquatic animals other than fish are also killed by low concentrations of pyrethrins. The scud (a fresh water crustacean) is killed by concentrations of 12 parts per billion.49 Static bioassays were made in the laboratory to determine lethal concentration of the pyrethroid pesticide fenvalerate for the freshwater catfish Clarias gariepinus and effects of sublethal concentrations of the pesticide on some biochemical parameters of the fish. Hepatosomatic index, liver glycogen, alkaline phosphatase of liver and ascorbic acid of blood, liver, and kidney decreased while haemoglobin (Hb) %, plasma glucose levels and acid phosphatase level of liver increased after 24 h exposure to 2.1 micro g/L fenvalerate. Longer exposure (96 h) to even a lower concentration (1.4 micro g/L) of fenvalerate resulted in reduction of all the parameters (except Hb %) tested as compared with control. Hepatosomatic index, liver glycogen, alkaline phosphatase of liver and ascorbic acid of blood, liver, and kidney decreased while haemoglobin (Hb) %, plasma glucose levels and acid phosphatase level of liver increased after 24 h exposure to 2.1 micro g/L fenvalerate. Longer exposure (96 h) to even a lower concentration (1.4 micro g/L) of fenvalerate resulted in reduction of all the parameters (except Hb %) tested as compared with control. 50 Chronic aquatic toxicity tests showed that cis-bifentrin (cis-BF) could significantly affect the reproduction of Daphnia magna, a water flea. 51,52

References:

46. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. 2001. Toxicological profile for pyrethrins and pyrethroids. p. 159.

47. Johnson, W.W. and M.T. FInley. 1980. Handbook of acute toxicity of chemicals to fish and aquatic invertebrates. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of the Interior. Fish and Wildlife Service. p. 70.

48. Burridge, L.E and K. Haya. 1997. Lethality of pyrethrins to larvae and postlarvae of the American lobster (Homarus americanus). Ecotoxicol.

Environ. Safety 38: 150-154.

49. Sanders, H.O. 1969. Toxicity of pesticides to the crustacean Gammarus lacustris. Technical Paper No. 25. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Dept. of the Interior. Fish and Wildlife Service. Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife.

50. Toxicity of the pyrethroid pesticide fenvalerate to freshwater catfish clarias gariepinus: lethality, biochemical effects and role of dietary ascorbic acid. Bhattacharya M, Kaviraj A. J Environ Sci Health B. 2009 Aug;44(6):578-83.

51. Chronic toxicity and cytotoxicity of synthetic pyrethroid insecticide cis-bifenthrin. Wang C, Chen F, Zhang Q, Fang Z. J Environ Sci (China). 2009;21(12):1710-5.

52. Toxicity of three mosquito insecticides to crayfish. Paul EA, Simonin HA. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2006 Apr;76(4):614-21. (phenothrin) & Toxicity of a synergized formulation of sumithrin to Daphnia magna. Paul EA; & Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2004 Jun;72(6):1285-9.

Cats are particularly susceptible to pyrethrin poisoning because their livers inefficiently detoxify this insecticide. 41 As a consequence, there are a large number of poisoning incidents. Veterinarians summarizing calls made to an animal poison control center in 1986 found that pyrethrin-related incidents were more numerous than incidents involving any other insecticide.42 These results of another study indicated that cis-bifentrin induced chronic toxicity in mammalian cells of hampsters. 43

41. Campbell, A. and M. Chapman. 2000. Handbook of poisoning in dogs and cats. Malden MA: Blackwell Science. p. 43.

42. Beasley, V.R. and H.L. Trammel. 1989. Incidence of poisonings in small animals. Curr. Vet. Ther. 10: 97-113 &

Permethrin toxicity in cats: a retrospective study of 20 cases. Dymond NL, Swift IM. Aust Vet J. 2008 Jun;86(6):219-23; & Permethrin toxicosis in cats. Linnett PJ. Aust Vet J. 2008 Jan-Feb;86(1-2):32-5; & Permethrin toxicity in cats. Gleadhill A.Vet Rec. 2004 Nov 13;155(20):648.

43. Chronic toxicity and cytotoxicity of synthetic pyrethroid insecticide cis-bifenthrin. Wang C, Chen F, Zhang Q, Fang Z. J Environ Sci (China). 2009;21(12):1710-5.

(EPA) survey of poison control centers, Pyrethrins cause more insecticide poisoning incidents than any other class of insecticides except the organophosphates. Symptoms include headaches, dizziness, and difficulty breathing.

Pyrethrins can trigger life-threatening allergic responses including heart failure and severe asthma.

In laboratory animals exposed through eating, by injection, or through breathing, pyrethrins have caused anemia.

Pyrethrins are classified as “likely to be human carcinogens” by EPA because they cause thyroid tumors in

laboratory tests. Farmers who use pyrethrins have an increased risk of developing leukemia. (35,36)

Experiments with dairy cows suggest that nursing mothers exposed to pyrethrins can pass them on to their children.

Pyrethrins disrupt the normal functioning of sex hormones. They inhibit binding of sex hormones to human genital skin and proteins in human blood.

Several laboratory studies suggest that females may be more susceptible to pyrethrins than males.

http://www.pesticide.org/PyrethrinsPyrethrum.pdf

35. Brown, L.M. et al. 1990. Pesticide exposures and other agricultural risk factors for leukemia among men in Iowa and Minnesota. Cancer Res.

50: 6585-6591. 36. U.S. EPA. Office of Pesticide Programs. Health Effects Division. Cancer Assessment Review Committee. 1999. Cancer Assessment Document: Evaluation of the carcinogenic potential of pyrethrins. Executive summary. Washington, D.C

Toxicity of delta-phenothrin and resmethrin to non-target insects. Antwi FB, Peterson RK. Pest Manag Sci. 2009 Mar;65(3):300-5; & Toxicity of three mosquito insecticides to crayfish. Paul EA, Simonin HA. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2006 Apr;76(4):614-21. (phenothrin) & Toxicity of a synergized formulation of sumithrin to Daphnia magna. Paul EA; & Bull Environ Contam Toxicol. 2004 Jun;72(6):1285-9.