The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released its final biological evaluation (BE) for the insecticide dinotefuran, detailing potential impacts on federally listed endangered species and designated critical habitats. This assessment, completed on 23 October 2024, provides a comprehensive overview of dinotefuran’s effects and serves as a critical reference for regulatory decisions and conservation strategies aimed at protecting at-risk wildlife and ecosystems.
Overview of Dinotefuran’s Impact
Dinotefuran, a systemic neonicotinoid insecticide widely used in agricultural and non-agricultural settings, was found to potentially impact over 1,200 listed species and hundreds of critical habitats. According to the BE, the insecticide’s presence in water bodies and soil could expose species through direct contact or food sources, posing significant risk especially to invertebrates, which play vital roles in food chains and ecosystems.
Potential Risks Identified
The BE identifies that dinotefuran may adversely affect aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, as well as other species dependent on these organisms. The EPA's effects determination categorised listed species into three groups based on potential exposure and impact:
- Species with No Effect (NE): Includes 194 species that are unlikely to be affected due to low exposure likelihood.
- Not Likely to Adversely Affect (NLAA): Comprising 222 species, the impact is deemed insignificant.
- Likely to Adversely Affect (LAA): Over 1,200 species and 653 critical habitats may experience harmful impacts, particularly those within close proximity to dinotefuran application sites.
The evaluation considers both direct and indirect effects, factoring in how dinotefuran could disrupt prey availability, pollination, habitat, and dispersal critical to many species’ survival.
Concerns and Public Comments
The EPA’s assessment received input from numerous conservation and industry stakeholders. Comments from organisations like the American Bird Conservancy highlighted concerns about dinotefuran’s potential impact on birds that rely on affected invertebrate species. Other stakeholders pointed to the need for additional protections for vulnerable species, such as aquatic mollusks and Hawaiian species, which have specific habitat needs that could be disrupted by dinotefuran runoff.
Regulatory and Conservation Implications
Following the BE, the EPA will engage in consultations with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service to discuss potential mitigations. The agency's recommendations may include implementing restrictions on dinotefuran applications near critical habitats and specific conservation areas to minimise exposure risks. EPA’s considerations also extend to future consultations and regulatory actions to protect Hawaii’s biodiversity, where native species face high extinction risks due to agricultural pesticides and habitat encroachment.
The EPA’s comprehensive biological evaluation on dinotefuran underscores the insecticide's potential to impact species and habitats significantly. As the agency works to mitigate these risks, future regulations and conservation efforts will be informed by the evaluation’s findings, setting the stage for targeted protections aimed at preserving endangered species and the ecosystems they inhabit.
