Neonicotinoids are the most used agricultural pesticide and are coming under increasing fire. These chemicals have disastrous effects on the environment, most notably on pollinator health, beneficial insects and aquatic invertebrates. Finally, strong science has demonstrated that these pesticides are disproportionately harming beneficial insects in U.S. agriculture. Consequently, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that neonicotinoids almost certainly jeopardize the continued existence of more than 200 species already listed as endangered or at-risk. Cornell University researchers are working to address these concerns. They are urgently searching for more effective alternatives to neonicotinoids, leading the way toward safer agricultural practices.
A study we published last month in Crop Protection found alternatives to neonicotinoid insecticides. The purpose of this research is to assist producers of large-seeded vegetable crops such as snap beans, dry beans and sweet corn. These studies are of great importance in light of the fact that New York State is the 3rd largest producer of sweet corn. To learn more about these important decisions, we conducted a four-year study from 2021–2024 in five states—Delaware, Minnesota, New York, Washington, and Wisconsin. It evaluated the effectiveness and environmental footprint of these new insecticides relative to conventional neonicotinoid treatments.
Understanding the Risks of Neonicotinoids
Indeed, the ecological impacts of neonicotinoids have sounded the alarm bells across the scientific community. These pesticides are well-documented as being harmful to non-target species, playing a significant role in the decline of essential pollinators such as bees. The EPA’s findings should underscore the immediate and dangerous impact this poses to our environment. Over 200 species have gone extinct due to these deadly chemicals.
Many studies have found links between neonicotinoid usage and greater detrimental effects on the insect population. The more agriculture transforms its practices to depend on these substances, the further we push long-term, irreversible ecological harm. This growing crisis has led to unprecedented outcry for new pest control options. These solutions manage environmental risks with the productive capacity of our agriculture.
Promising Alternatives from Cornell Research
In response to these alarming issues, researchers at Cornell University have been working to find safer alternatives to neonicotinoids. The recent study evaluated five non-neonicotinoid seed treatments: chlorantraniliprole, cyantraniliprole, isocycloseram, spinosad, and tetraniliprole. These alternatives were compared to standard neonicotinoid seed treatments like thiamethoxam and clothianidin.
The first set of findings shows that the upstart treatments work no better than the old standbys. They can meaningfully provide more protection for crops. Cyantraniliprole and spinosad seed treatments have performed spectacularly in snap bean crops. At times, they even did better than thiamethoxam. Approaching the study holistically, the researchers utilized the Environmental Impact Quotient (EIQ). Specifically, it completed most of the risk assessments that these insecticides pose to farm workers, consumers, and the environment.
Field Studies Highlight Effectiveness
Those field studies across these states opened a window into the effectiveness of these alternative insecticides. The science, which consisted of in-depth assessments in active agricultural production conditions, meant that results were realistic and relevant to today’s agricultural industry.
Results showed that five replacement seed treatments were at least as effective as neonicotinoids for sweet corn. Furthermore, researchers discovered that non-neonicotinoid insecticides varied in their ability to protect large-seeded vegetable crops against pests such as seedcorn maggot. This variability emphasizes the importance of diversifying the insecticide classes we use in agriculture. Together, we can address the dangers associated with excessive reliance on a single class of chemicals.
Brian A. Nault’s research program has changed in recent years to finding the most effective alternatives to neonicotinoids. Nault allows that these findings will be important to farmers seeking to move towards more sustainable pest management practices. Leonardo Salgado, a Ph.D. candidate in entomology and the study’s first author, said this research couldn’t be more timely. It offers crucial information for shifting away from reliance on insecticides, while still keeping high crop yields.