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Protecting pollinators by reducing pesticides

Overview

The world’s estimated 5 million species of insects are critically important to nearly every ecosystem on the planet. Among these highly successful arthropods, nearly 200,000 species are considered pollinators, which play a vital role in our food systems and natural ecosystems globally. In the US and Canada alone, there are nearly 4,000 known species of native bees—the continent’s most effective pollinators. Unfortunately, the world is experiencing a time of tremendous insect decline that some scientists are calling “The Insect Apocalypse.” One study suggests that within the next few decades, as much as 40% of the world’s insect population¹ may go extinct, and it has been estimated that one out of every four of North America’s bumble bee species—important pollinators—are at risk of extinction. Insects, especially pollinators like bees and butterflies, are vital to ecosystem health and function—virtually all seed plants must be pollinated, from wildflowers to cone-bearing plants and trees to 80% of the 1,400 crop plants that produce our food and plant-based industrial products globally,

Insect populations began plummeting in the early 1990s after the introduction of neonicotinoids (neonics)², a new class of neurotoxic insecticide. Although marketed as a safer and more effective option³ for selectively killing insect pests without hurting birds and other vertebrates, neonics have made US agriculture 48 times more toxic⁴ to insects. According to the Environmental Protection Agency’s own analysis, nearly three-fourths of all endangered plants and animals are likely being harmed by neonics. In addition to their toxicity, neonics have such widespread impacts because of their mode of application—they are applied as a coating on the seeds of most major crops, including corn, soy, and wheat. Unfortunately, much of the coating comes off the seed and ends up in the environment. These pesticides are affecting entire food chains as they are persistent in the environment, infiltrate groundwater⁵, and have cumulative and often irreversible effects on invertebrate populations.

Despite the widespread, harmful impacts and minimal benefits6 to crop yields, neonics continue to dominate agriculture because the companies that produce them hold significant market share for crop seed. Conservation alternatives exist, but farmers face barriers in accessing and adopting them, as seed and pesticide representatives often promote treated seeds and seldom even offer or discuss alternatives with farmers. Increased technical assistance, training, and awareness are essential to help farmers transition to non-treated seeds, thus reducing the flow of neonics into the environment and supporting the survival of important pollinator and other wildlife populations.

A monarch sits on some purple-pink milkweed

The other big reason monarchs are in decline:

neonicotinoid pesticides. It's common knowledge that the monarch butterfly is in trouble. However, like the causes themselves, the story of why the charismatic insect isn't faring well has evolved.

Why it matters

North America is home to an estimated 4,000 species of native bees, including mason bees (Osmia ssp.), some of our most important wildlife pollinators. Several studies have shown that mason bees are often more effective pollinators than domesticated honey bees.

Monarch butterfly on a plant with a bright yellow background

The monarch butterfly (Danaeus plexippus), a beloved insect known for its long-distance migration from the US and Canada to central Mexico each year, has been declining for many years, primarily due to habitat loss. However, since the 1990s, the introductions of neonicotinoid pesticides and GMO Roundup Ready crops have resulted in a significant impact on the species’ health.

The rusty-patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) was once one of North America’s most common bumble bee species east of the Mississippi until the introduction of neonicotinoid pesticides in the 1990s. It became the first species of North American bee to receive protection under the Endangered Species Act in 2017.

Nearly 100% of non-organic⁷ US corn seed comes pre-treated with a dusting of neonicotinoid pesticides. In fact, the coating is so ubiquitous that it can be difficult for farmers to source non-treated seeds. While there are situations where neonicotinoid use is agronomically justified, these pesticides do little to increase yield, and in some cases, reduce yield since they harm beneficial insects and other invertebrates. Only 2%-5% of the neonicotinoid treatment⁸ remains with the seed, with the rest remaining in the soil or becoming windborne as dust during planting, negatively impacting soil, wildlife, and human health, and decreasing water quality.

An aerial view of a tractor driving over a large swathe of converted land with unconverted grasslands in the background

Iowa State University estimates that⁹ a single kernel of neonic treated corn contains enough active ingredients to kill 80,000 bees. The US currently grows 90 million acres of corn at an average seeding rate of 30,000 seeds per acre, with nearly all non-organic corn receiving a neonic treatment.

Some crops like blueberries require a special type of pollination called “buzz pollination” or “sonication.” Native pollinators like bumble bees and blueberry bees do most of the pollination work for these crops.

What WWF is doing

When pesticides are limited to application only when agronomically justified, and pollinator friendly food plants and habitat are provided, agricultural lands can provide excellent insect habitat.

Farmers are becoming increasingly precise in their management of crop inputs, but when it comes to neonics and seed coatings, they face significant hurdles. Over 60% of the global patented seed market is owned by the largest producers of neonics, which has resulted in nearly 100% of non-organic corn and over 60% of non-organic soy in the US being treated with the pesticides. As a result, it is difficult for farmers to purchase seeds that haven’t been coated with neonics, even when they prefer to manage pesticides more precisely based on pest risk. Furthermore, seed company replant insurance policies often penalize producers who choose not to purchase treated seeds, increasing pressure on farmers to uphold the status quo. Additionally, many producers are accustomed to following the recommendations of seed dealers and pesticides representatives, which often recommend continued use of treated seeds, despite the risks and minimal reward.

While there are conservation programs that offer farmers opportunities to adopt integrated pest management practices and manage seed coatings based on agronomic need—planting neonic treated seeds when pest risks justify it—too often farmers are not aware of these assistance options. For example, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service has many conservation practices and approaches that can help farmers employ integrated pest management and transition to non-neonic coated seeds. Additionally, there is need for increased awareness about the viability of using untreated seeds among farmers and technical assistance providers alike. WWF is developing opportunities to collaborate with farm advisors and agencies to enhance outreach and educational support for farmers to address these gaps, building upon the conservation practices currently being offered, while providing farmers with opportunities to gain confidence in the effectiveness of untreated seeds.

WWF’s role in promoting pollinator conservation and reducing neonics

WWF is uniquely positioned to make significant strides in pollinator conservation and neonicotinoid reduction. Our “middle-ground”, agronomic justification approach to reducing neonicotinoid pesticides elevates farmer choice, which can benefit farmers’ bottom-lines and environmental outcomes. Farmers should have a say in how pests are managed on their lands while being provided with more information and options to move away from ubiquitous use of neonic-treated seeds that has harmed wildlife, soil organisms, aquatic systems, and humans since their release. WWF’s extensive network of partners, spanning government agencies, academic institutions, farm advisors, producer organizations, and grassroots organizations, allows for coordinated action and policy influence across various sectors. Additionally, WWF’s global reach and reputation lend credibility to its initiatives, helping to raise awareness and drive change on both local and national scale.