Neonicotinoids from coated seeds toxic for honeydew-feeding biological control agents

Seed coating (‘seed treatment’) is the leading delivery method of neonicotinoid insecticides in major crops such as soybean, wheat, cotton and maize. However, this prophylactic use neonicotinoids widely discussed from standpoint environmental costs. Growing soybean plants neonicotinoid-coated seeds field, we demonstrate that aphids (Aphis glycines) survived treatment, excreted honeydew containing neonicotinoids. Biochemical analyses demonstrated by aphid contained substantial concentrations even one month after sowing crop. Consuming reduced longevity two biological control agents aphid, predatory midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza parasitic wasp Aphelinus certus. These results have important economic implications because main carbohydrate source for many beneficial insects agricultural landscapes.