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Fall
2017
grainswest.com17
BY LEE HART
to spray crops up to three times.
“We not only need the products we
have, we could use more effective ones,”
said Stamp. “The neonicotinoids are very
effective on some pests, but on others,
such as wireworm, they don’t really con-
trol, they just slow them down.”
Imidacloprid has been cited as Health
Canada’s main concern, although studies
show other neonicotinoids—clothianidin
and thiamethoxam—have been detected in
aquatic environments, so they are under re-
view as well. The department appears to be
equally concerned with pesticide impacts
on pollinators and aquatic insects.
PUTTING A NAME TO A MOLECULE
Within the neonicotinoid group there are
seven active ingredients, three of which
are most commonly used in field-crop in-
secticides. The active ingredient imidaclo-
prid is used in brand-name products such
as Gaucho, Raxil Pro Shield, Sombrero,
Stress Shield and Admire. Clothianidin is
used in products such as Prosper, Poncho,
Titan and Clutch. Thirdly, thiamethoxam
is used in Helix, Cruiser and Actara.
TWO LEVELS OF CONCERN
Manitoba Agriculture entomologist John
Gavloski said the prospect of having
insecticides withdrawn from the market
involves two levels of concern. “Products
containing imidacloprid are one thing,”
said Gavloski. “But if we’re talking about
all neonicotinoids being withdrawn, that’s
really a whole different ball game.”
“Western Canadian grain and oilseed
growers generally don’t use a lot of the
imidacloprid products,” said Gavloski. “So
losing that one active ingredient wouldn’t
be a major setback. They would have other
neonicotinoid options. But if all of the ne-
onicotinoid products are withdrawn, there
would be much fewer options.”
One newer chemical group that could
be used as an alternative seed treatment in
controlling some crop pests is the diamide
group, which uses different active ingredi-
ents than the neonicotinoids. Trade name
products most effective for field crops
include Lumiderm and Fortenza.
Gavloski said the beauty of the
neonicotinoid products is that they are
very water soluble and act very quickly.
“That might also have been their down-
fall,” he said. “Because they are so water
soluble, they can move easily into ground-
water.” The diamide products are effective
in controlling flea beetles, cutworms and
other pests, but they do not have the same
rapidity. “They are slower acting but last
longer,” he said. Some seed treatments
include both chemical groups—a neonic-
otinoid for early fast action and a diamide
for prolonged activity.
THE OPTIONS
Gavloski said he believes the studies he has
seen are based on good science and show
that neonicotinoid chemistries are showing
up in groundwater. “That is a concern that
needs to be addressed,” he said. “It is not
sustainable the way it is, but what is the
solution? Can we have more targeted rather
than widespread use in some crops, or do
they need to be phased out?”
Gavloski said that in some parts of
the country—primarily corn- and soy-
bean-growing areas—the neonicotinoids
aren’t used solely for pest control. They
are also marketed as growth promotants,
which has led to their widespread use. “It
might help if they changed the marketing
focus and the products were only used as
needed to control pests,” he said.
Stamp is also not sure there’s an easy
solution. “I know many farmers, like
ourselves, only use these products as seed
treatments where needed,” he said. “With
this crop on that field, I know I have a pest
problem so I use the insecticide-treated
seed. But then I don’t use insecticide-
treated seed on the next field where it is
not needed. If we are already doing that, it
makes it difficult to reduce use.”
He suggested that if insecticide dust
particles are harmful to beneficial insects,
perhaps a coating or other treatment could
be applied to reduce this release.
Stamp said commodity associations he is
involved with are working diligently with
Health Canada and the Pest Management
Regulatory Agency to create a solution that
will keep these chemistries in the toolbox.
As well, Alberta Pulse Growers is working
on studies relating to the review.
“Any decision that is made has to be
based on good science and not be a political
gesture,” said Stamp. “Let’s work with the
science. As farmers, we are committed to
protecting the environment, but if we lose
these products and have no option other
than to use multiple applications of pesti-
cides, that may not be a solution either.”
Photo:StampSeeds
Eliminating seed treatments that contain imidaclopridmay significantly increase crop protection expense and
ultimately boost environmental risk.