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Theresia Widhalm. Foto.

Theresia Krausl

Doctoral student

Theresia Widhalm. Foto.

Pollinators, pests and yield—Multiple trade-offs from insecticide use in a mass-flowering crop

Author

  • Jessica L. Knapp
  • Adam Bates
  • Ove Jonsson
  • Björn Klatt
  • Theresia Krausl
  • Ullrika Sahlin
  • Glenn P. Svensson
  • Maj Rundlöf

Summary, in English

Multiple trade-offs likely occur between pesticide use, pollinators and yield (via crop flowers) in pollinator-dependent, mass-flowering crops (MFCs), causing potential conflict between conservation and agronomic goals. To date, no studies have looked at both outcomes within the same system, meaning win-win solutions for pollinators and yield can only be inferred. Here, we outline a new framework to explore these trade-offs, using red clover (Trifolium pratense) grown for seed production as an example. Specifically, we address how the insecticide thiacloprid affects densities of seed-eating weevils (Protapion spp.), pollination rates, yield, floral resources and colony dynamics of the key pollinator, Bombus terrestris. Thiacloprid did not affect the amount of nectar provided by, or pollinator visitation to, red clover flowers but did reduce weevil density, correlating to increased yield and gross profit. In addition, colonies of B. terrestris significantly increased their weight and reproductive output in landscapes with (compared with without) red clover, regardless of insecticide use. Synthesis and applications. We propose a holistic conceptual framework to explore trade-offs between pollinators, pesticides and yield that we believe to be essential for achieving conservation and agronomic goals. This framework applies to all insecticide-treated mass-flowering crops (MFCs) and can be adapted to include other ecological processes. Trialling the framework in our study system, we found that our focal insecticide, thiacloprid, improved red clover seed yield with no detected effects on its key pollinator, B. terrestris, and that the presence of red clover in the landscape can benefit pollinator populations.

Department/s

  • Biodiversity and Conservation Science
  • BECC: Biodiversity and Ecosystem services in a Changing Climate
  • Biodiversity
  • Centre for Environmental and Climate Science (CEC)
  • Functional zoology

Publishing year

2022-09-01

Language

English

Pages

2419-2429

Publication/Series

Journal of Applied Ecology

Volume

59

Issue

9

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

John Wiley & Sons Inc.

Topic

  • Horticulture
  • Ecology

Keywords

  • bee
  • Bombus
  • mass-flowering crop
  • pesticide
  • pollination
  • pollinator
  • red clover
  • trade-off
  • yield

Status

Published

Project

  • Evaluating Indirect Effects of Climate Change on Pollinators and Pollination Services through Pesticide Exposure
  • Exposure and Effects of Chemical Mixtures on Bees (MixToxBee) - Supporting Pesticide Monitoring and Bee Risk Assessment

Research group

  • Biodiversity and Conservation Science

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0021-8901