The American Midwest has long been a crucial habitat for a diverse range of butterfly species, including the iconic monarch butterfly. However, recent research suggests a disturbing trend: a significant decline in butterfly populations is linked to the use of insecticides, especially neonicotinoids.
What are Neonicotinoids?
Neonicotinoids, also known as neonics, are a class of insecticides that affect the central nervous system of insects, leading to paralysis and death. Insecticides are pesticides that specifically target and kill insects.
Neonicotinoids include these insecticides:
- acetamiprid
- clothianidin
- dinotefuran
- imidacloprid
- nitenpyram
- nithiazine
- thiacloprid
- thiamethoxam
- cycloxaprid
- imidaclothiz
- paichongding
- sulfoxaflor
- guadipyr
- flupyradifuron
These are systemic chemicals, meaning that they are absorbed by the plant and can end up in all parts of it, including the sap and pollen, which makes the entire plant toxic to insects. While their intended targets are often pest species, they do not discriminate and are harmful to beneficial insects such as pollinators.
They are commonly used in agricultural practices and are one of the most widely used classes of insecticide in the world. Many commercial fruit and vegetable growers treat their crops with insecticides and plant neonic-coated corn, soybean and canola seeds.
The National Wildlife Federation has long advocated against the use of neonicotinoids, citing them as responsible for one of the largest native bee kills ever recorded – as many as 100,000 bumble bees were killed in Wilsonville, Oregon after pest control operators sprayed trees with dinotefuran.
For years, the EPA has been reviewing the impact of neonics on pollinators with an interim decision on the registration of these pesticides expected later this year. That could result in new restrictions on the use of these chemicals to meet safety standards. Several neonics have already been banned or restricted in the European Union.
The Study: Insecticides vs. Butterflies
In a newly released research study, a team of researchers consolidated 17 years of data on land use, climate, multiple classes of pesticides, and butterfly surveys across five states in the US Midwest to establish the adverse effects of insecticides on butterflies. The findings are clear: insecticides, particularly neonicotinoid-treated seeds, have the most substantial negative impact on butterfly populations.
The study found that monarch populations declined by 33% in projections under observed pesticide use versus projections without pesticide use. These population declines are related to insecticide use beginning in 2003 and coincide with the rapid adoption of seeds treated with neonicotinoids in corn and soybean plantings in the Midwest.
Data on the use of neonicotinoid-treated seeds in the region has not been reported since 2014 so the impact from the last 10 years is difficult to measure but, as we know, butterfly populations are still in decline. According to the latest survey from the Xerces Society, the Western Monarch population has declined 30% since last year’s count, and now hovers at a mere 5% of the millions regularly recorded in the 1980s.
The Broader Impact on Monarch Butterflies
Monarch butterflies, known for their remarkable migratory patterns, are among the species most affected by neonicotinoids. The monarch's life cycle relies heavily on milkweed plants for laying eggs and feeding caterpillars. However, milkweeds growing in fields treated with neonicotinoids can become toxic to monarchs. Only 2-5% of neonics used in seed coatings make it into the target plant which leaves about 95% of the chemical lingering in the soil.
According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, “once in the soil, neonics remain active for years, and rain or irrigation water can easily carry them long distances to contaminate new soil, plant life, and water supplies. Given neonics’ widespread use, the result has been vast ecosystem contamination.”
This has long-term consequences for wildlife conservation, impacting the survival rate of butterfly caterpillars and contributing to the overall decline of adult butterfly populations. For the Western monarchs especially, reduced to a fraction of their former population, environmental stressors such as extreme weather events can cause proportionally more damage and leave the species vulnerable to extinction.
Why We Don't Use Neonicotinoids
At Garden for Wildlife, we prioritize the health and sustainability of our ecosystems - that includes plants, people, and wildlife. We only work with native plant growers committed to using natural pest control methods and we never use neonicotinoids or other harmful chemicals during the growing process. Our shared commitment to growing neonic-free native plants ensures healthy and safe spaces for pollinators spanning all the way from our greenhouses to your yard!
Here are some reasons to avoid neonicotinoids:
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Preserving Biodiversity: Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators play a critical role in ecosystems. They are essential for the pollination of many plants, including those that produce the fruits and vegetables we eat.
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Protecting Food Chains: Pollinators themselves are a food source for many birds and small mammals. Declines in butterfly populations disrupt these food chains, leading to broader ecological consequences.
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Controlling Pests Naturally: Healthy ecosystems facilitate natural pest control by creating a balanced environment where beneficial insects and predators thrive, keeping pest populations in check.
Keeping Neonicotinoids Out of Your Garden
So how do you keep neonics out of your garden? There are a few considerations and steps you can take to grow a neonic-free, sustainable garden for pollinators.
Firstly, commit to using natural pest control. A healthy garden is less susceptible to pests. You can attract helpful predators like ladybugs with pollinator-friendly flowers. Companion planting, or planting certain vegetables and herbs together, can also deter pests. If needed, try natural solutions like neem oil spray to guard against insects, mites, and fungal diseases. Prevention is key, so act early and choose targeted methods to maintain a thriving garden ecosystem.
Once you’ve committed to keeping these chemicals out of your garden, the next question to ask yourself is how do you add new plants without introducing chemicals into your ecosystem? Most big box stores and garden centers sell plants grown using pesticides. Unless you’re buying from a trusted local grower that you know doesn’t use neonicotinoids, you could be bringing contaminated plants home to your garden. Do your best to avoid this by being a savvy shopper and only buying plants from trusted sources.
Finally, there’s at least one more challenge to overcome: neighbors spraying pesticides. It can be incredibly frustrating to put in the work to create a chemical-free garden and then watch your neighbor spray their yard with pesticides. You can smell it in the air, it seeps into the ground, and wind may blow it into your yard - putting you and your pollinators at risk! The best way to address this is through education and awareness. You can certify your garden as a wildlife habitat, add signage, and speak to your neighbors about why it's important to create chemical-free safe spaces for pollinators.
The good news is that it’s never been easier to create a neonic-free wildlife garden! When you buy native milkweed and other native plants at gardenforwildlife.com - we guarantee they were sustainably grown without the use of neonicotinoids. And we’ve already done the heavy lifting to determine which plants are native to your area - down to the zip code level. We even have a native plant finder quiz to help you find the perfect plants.
Together, we can create a healthier, more sustainable environment for all by adopting sustainable gardening practices and saying no to neonicotinoids.
