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Using dietary exposure to determine sub-lethal effects from imidacloprid in two springtail (Collembola) species
Andreia Sofia Jorge Silva1,2, Silje Marie Kristiansen1, Sagnik Sengupta1
1Section for Aquatic Biology and Toxicology, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Ecotoxicology (London, England)
|November 22, 2023
Summary
A refined dietary exposure method using moistened bark effectively tested imidacloprid toxicity in springtails (Collembola). This method revealed sub-lethal effects on body size and reproduction, crucial for understanding population impacts.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Toxicology
- Ecotoxicology
- Soil Ecology
Background:
- Standard toxicity tests for Collembola often use soil exposure, limiting surface-visible dietary exposure assessments.
- Existing dietary exposure methods for springtails were suboptimal, necessitating refinement for accurate toxicity testing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To optimize a dietary exposure method for assessing the toxicity of imidacloprid in two abundant springtail species (Folsomia quadrioculata and Hypogastrura viatica).
- To investigate the sub-lethal effects of imidacloprid on Collembola life history traits, including body size, egg production, and age at first reproduction.
Main Methods:
- Newly hatched Collembola were exposed to imidacloprid via moistened bark treated with micropipette application or overnight soaking.
- Concentration-response relationships were determined for Hypogastrura viatica using moistened bark treated with varying imidacloprid concentrations.
- Life history traits such as body size, egg production, moulting rate, and age at first reproduction were monitored.
Main Results:
- Micropipette application of imidacloprid on bark yielded concentrations closer to nominal values (0.21-0.13 mg/kg) and caused sub-lethal effects.
- Soaked bark resulted in significantly higher concentrations (8 mg/kg) and led to high mortality.
- Sub-lethal imidacloprid exposure reduced adult body size (8%), delayed reproduction, and decreased moulting rate in tested Collembola species.
Conclusions:
- The moistened bark method is optimal for continuous dietary exposure studies of Collembola, enabling detailed assessment of life history traits.
- Understanding sub-lethal effects of insecticides like imidacloprid on Collembola is critical for evaluating population viability and ecological risk.
- Refined dietary exposure techniques are essential for accurate ecotoxicological assessments of soil invertebrates.
