Tracking equipment to test the effects of pesticides on migration movements of wild birds and butterflies

新烟碱类是世界上使用最广泛的杀虫剂，与驯化蜜蜂数量的迅速下降有关，导致全球对传粉者健康和粮食安全的担忧。新烟碱类化合物主要用作种子包衣，但只有约5%的化学品被植物吸收，其余的则污染土壤和水，并在环境中持续多年。除蜜蜂外，关于类烟碱对占据农业栖息地的其他物种（如候鸟和蝴蝶）的亚致死效应知之甚少。对圈养鸣禽的研究发现，其他污染物（乙酰甲胺磷、多氯联苯）会破坏迁徙方向，但尚未对类烟碱进行测试。在这项新的研究中，我们使用创新的跟踪技术来测试类尼古丁对白冠麻雀，萨凡纳麻雀和帝王蝶迁徙运动的影响。动物将配备一个微型编码纳米标签（<1克）设备，可以检测到（在5公里内）的现有和广泛的网络的几十个'MOTUS'自动无线电遥测塔，毯子西南安大略。所要求的设备，纳米标签和手动接收器，将支持三所大学的三个合作项目。首先，我们的试点研究表明，在圈养条件下，白冠麻雀即使暴露于小剂量的imadacloprid，也会显着减少活动并减轻体重。为了进行实地试验，将在春季迁徙时捕获个体，并将用非常小但与环境相关的口服剂量的imadacloprid治疗实验鸟类。与对照鸟类相比，迁移方向将首先在圈养中使用标准的“Emlen”漏斗测试进行监测，然后在野外使用NanoTags跟踪释放后的迁移运动。其次，我们正在研究的影响，烟碱类对萨凡纳麻雀的跟踪后羽翼丰满的分散运动和秋季迁移的开始标记的青少年，起源于玉米/大豆农场使用烟碱类与天然草地。在雏鸟粪便样本以及土壤和昆虫样本中测试了Imadacloprid水平，我们将测试更高的类烟碱暴露是否对分散运动或延迟秋季迁移的发生产生负面影响。第三，我们将使用NanoTags来跟踪在类烟碱处理的植物与对照植物上饲养的帝王蝶的迁移方向。迫切需要这些研究来确定人口下降的驱动因素，并为类尼古丁法规提供信息。加拿大卫生部有害生物管理监管局（PMRA）计划在未来两年完成对类烟碱的全面重新评估;重要的是，我们的研究必须完成并纳入PMRA评估和建议，因为我们处理蜜蜂以外的非目标动物。

Neonicotinoids are the most widely used insecticide in the world and have been linked to rapid declines in domesticated bee populations, leading to global concern around pollinator health and food security. Neonicotinoids are applied primarily as a seed coating but only about 5% of the chemical is absorbed by the plant while the remainder contaminates the soil and water and persists for years in the environment. Other than bees, very little is known about the sublethal effects of neonicotinoids on other species that occupy agricultural habitat such as migratory birds and butterflies. Studies of captive songbirds have found that other contaminants (acephate, PCBs) disrupt migration orientation but neonicotinoids have not yet been tested. In this novel research, we use innovative tracking technology to test the effects of neonicotinoids on the migratory movements of White-crowned Sparrows, Savannah Sparrows, and Monarch Butterflies. Animals will be equipped with a miniature coded NanoTag (< 1g) device that can be detected (within ~5 km) by the existing and extensive network of dozens of 'MOTUS' automated radio-telemetry towers that blanket southwestern Ontario. The equipment requested, NanoTags and manual receivers, will support three collaborative projects across three universities. First, our pilot studies have shown that, in captivity, White-crowned Sparrows exposed to even small doses of imadacloprid, significantly reduce activity and lose body mass. To conduct field tests, individuals will be caught on spring migration and experimental birds will be treated with a very small but environmentally relevant oral dose of imadacloprid. Migration orientation, compared to control birds, will be monitored first in captivity using a standard ‘Emlen’ funnel test and then in the wild using NanoTags to track migration movements after release. Second, we are studying the effects of neonicotinoids on Savannah Sparrows by tracking the post-fledging dispersal movements and onset of fall migration in tagged juveniles that originated from corn/soybean farms using neonicotinoids vs natural meadows. Imadacloprid levels are tested in nestling fecal samples as well as soil and insect samples, and we will test if higher exposure to neonicotinoids has a negative effect on dispersal movements or delays onset of fall migration. Third, we will use NanoTags to track the migration orientation of Monarch Butterflies that have been reared on neonicotinoid treated plants versus control plants. These studies are urgently needed to identify drivers of population declines and to inform neonicotinoid regulations. Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) is scheduled to complete a full re-evaluation of neonicotinoids over the next two years; it is important that our research be completed and included in the PMRA assessment and recommendations because we address non-target animals other than bees.