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Related Experiment Videos

Impact of insecticides on the American robin (Turdus migratorius) in a suburban environment.

R Décarie1, J L DesGranges, C Lépine

  • 1GREBE Inc., 2045 Stanley, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3A 2V4.

Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)
|January 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary

Diazinon and acephate applications on ornamental trees did not harm American robins, despite lowered cholinesterase activity. Repeated chlorpyrifos spraying, however, negatively impacted robin nest productivity, likely due to reduced earthworm availability.

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Effects of insecticide use on breeding birds in Christmas tree plantations in Quebec.

Ecotoxicology (London, England)·2013

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Toxicology
  • Ornithology
  • Pesticide Impact Studies

Background:

  • Pesticide use in urban and suburban environments can impact non-target wildlife.
  • American robins (Turdus migratorius) are common birds that forage on lawns, potentially exposing them to insecticides.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of diazinon and acephate on American robin breeding behavior and productivity.
  • To assess the impact of repeated chlorpyrifos spraying on robin nest productivity.

Main Methods:

  • Monitoring of breeding behavior and nestling production in American robins exposed to specific insecticides.
  • Measurement of plasma cholinesterase (ChE) activity in exposed female robins.
  • Correlation analysis between nest productivity and surrounding lawn treatment with chlorpyrifos.

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Main Results:

  • No mortality was observed in adult or juvenile robins. Nestling production remained unaffected by diazinon or acephate exposure.
  • Significantly lower plasma cholinesterase (ChE) activity was detected in females exposed to diazinon or acephate, but parental care showed no pronounced changes.
  • A negative correlation was found between nest productivity and the frequency of chlorpyrifos application on surrounding lawns, potentially linked to reduced earthworm biomass.

Conclusions:

  • Diazinon and acephate applications on ornamental trees appear to pose no significant harm to American robin breeding behavior or productivity.
  • Repeated chlorpyrifos use may negatively affect robin nest productivity, possibly by impacting their earthworm food source.