Latest news with #Imidacloprid
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Business Standard
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Business Standard
UP mango farmers warned of pest risk after rain, hailstorm hit state
The recent rainfall, hailstorm and gusty winds are likely to cause pest infestation in mango crops across parts of Uttar Pradesh, and farmers have been advised to take timely action, a top research body official said on Thursday. Uttar Pradesh contributes one-third to the country's total mango production of 24 million tonne. Dashehari, Langra, Chuasa, and Amrapali are key mango varieties grown in the state. According to T Damodaran, Director of ICAR-Central Institute for Subtropical Horticulture, while the overall mango yield may not be impacted in Uttar Pradesh, some pockets of mango-growing regions may see pest attacks due to humid weather conditions following the rainfall and hailstorm. "Fruit flies and thrips in mango crops can increase post rains due to humid conditions and moisture in the soil, which are favourable for these pests' development and activity," he said, adding that farmers need to manage these pests after rainfall. Damodaran explained that if timely control of the first generation of fruit flies is not undertaken, their population will multiply in successive waves, coinciding with the ripening of the main mango crop. By the time the mangoes reach marketable maturity, the fly population can become alarmingly high. To control pests, Damodaran suggested that 'methyl eugenol traps' are an effective and eco-friendly method for managing male fruit flies, especially in mango. These traps are available in the market and can be installed by hanging them at a height of 1.5 to 2 metres, preferably in semi-shaded areas inside the tree canopy. Jaggery-based poison bait may be used to control adult fruit flies. About 20 grams of jaggery mixed with 100 parts water and 1 millilitre/litre of contact insecticide (such as Malathion 50 EC) may be used to prepare the bait. Farmers should do spot spraying of this poison bait mixture on tree trunks, lower branches, and foliage. The spraying should be avoided during rain or in bright midday sun, and should be applied in the morning or late afternoon. This may be repeated every 7-10 days. For the control of thrips, any of the insecticides such as Imidacloprid 17.8% SL (0.3 ml/L) or Thiamethoxam 25% WG (0.3 g/L) or Lambda cyhalothrin 5% EC (1 ml/L) or Tolfenpyrad 15% EC at 1.5 ml/L may be used. For semiloopers and Dudua (paired fruit borer), Lambda cyhalothrin 5% EC (1 ml/L) may be sprayed by targeting the new flush and fruits, he added. Bijnor, Saharanpur and Lucknow are some of the key growing areas that received rainfall on Wednesday. Mango fruit will be harvested in Uttar Pradesh from June.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Black bug outbreak threatens sugarcane in UP; advisory issued
Bijnor: A severe outbreak of the black bug—locally known as kala chikta—has been reported in sugarcane fields across several parts of Uttar Pradesh, prompting the Sugar Department to issue an urgent advisory to farmers. The pest, which thrives in hot and dry conditions, typically attacks ratoon (regrown) sugarcane between April and June, stunting growth by sucking sap from the leaves. Infestation has also been accompanied by the pyrilla pest in some areas. Based on field inspections, scientists have advised farmers to irrigate their fields and destroy leftover stubble after harvest to curb the spread. In heavily infested fields, chemical pesticides such as Profenofos, Imidacloprid, Cypermethrin, Chlorpyrifos and Monocrotophos 36% SL have been recommended. Officials said that if pyrilla is more dominant and bio-parasites are present, chemical treatment may not be necessary. However, in cases of heavy black bug infestation—since there are no known parasites for black bugs—chemical control becomes essential. State president of Bharatiya Kisan Union Arajnaitik's youth wing, Digambar Singh, said, "Black bugs and pyrilla have affected large areas of sugarcane. Farmers are suffering massive losses. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like People Aged 50-85 With No Life Insurance Could Get This Reassured Get Quote Undo Sugar mills should provide subsidised pesticides to help them." Saharanpur's deputy cane commissioner OP Singh said, "Black bugs usually appear from April to June when the weather is hot and dry. Affected leaves turn yellow with brown spots, and larvae are often found between leaf curls and cane balls. Both adults and larvae suck the juice from the leaves, halting crop growth. In severe cases, holes form in the leaves." Notably, sugarcane is grown on 29 lakh hectares in the state, with more than 50 lakh farmers dependent on the crop.
BBC News
07-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
More than 100 chemicals polluting South harbours
Researchers have found more than 100 unique chemical pollutants in two UK harbours, raising concerns about their impact on analysis of seawater, seaweed and shellfish from Langstone and Chichester harbours found chemical pollutants surged more than 100-fold after sewage found 105 unique pharmaceuticals, pesticides and illegal week Environment Agency data showed raw sewage was released into England's rivers and seas for a record 3,610,000 hours in 2024. The researchers were from Brunel University of London, the University of Portsmouth and Imperial College London, working with citizen scientists from the Clean Harbours study took 339 samples from 21 spots in the harbours, both Sites of Special Scientific Interest, during the spring and autumn of can slip through some wastewater treatment plants throughout the year but the autumn sampling coincided with rainy days, which caused combined sewer overflows (CSOs) to drive sewage into surface waters. "CSO discharges were an obvious source of chemical pollution in these waters," said Dr Thomas Miller from Brunel University of London, who led the study. "Our study found that some chemicals increased by over 100-fold in water after these discharges, making them a high risk to aquatic wildlife." An insecticide regularly used on domestic pets in flea and tick medication, Imidacloprid, was the highest risk based on levels found in surface water."Out of so many chemicals detected, the presence of pet tick and flea treatments in the harbours was especially concerning," said Dr Leon Barron, from Imperial College London."We urgently need to reassess the practice of blanket preventative treatment of our dogs and cats to help bring the risk down."The team's work will be published in the journal Environment International on Alex Ford, from the University of Portsmouth, added: "The impact of these contaminants we are yet to fully understand, but it's clear from our data that they increase substantially under storm events which discharge untreated sewage." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
26-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Rachel Gilmour MP raises pollution concerns over flea killer use
An MP has called for flea treatments for cats and dogs to be restricted after raising concerns about pollution in waterways. Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Rachel Gilmour, Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead, called for "strict" measures on the use of "spot-on" treatments, saying the chemicals used are harmful to wildlife, as well as response, Emma Hardy, the Parliamentary Undersecretary for the Environment, said the Veterinary Medical Directorate (VMD) had commissioned research to investigate the matter. DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) said it will publish a "roadmap" within weeks to set out the work it is doing on the issue. Gilmour told the House of Commons she was concerned about toxic chemicals used in the treatments ending up in rivers and ponds, harming local wildlife. One of the ways the pesticides end up in waterways is because they are carried there by pets after having the treatment. "Dissemination can also occur because of rainwater run-off with residual product washing off from animals into drainage systems and in turn ending up in our waterways," said she did not call for a total ban, she added: "Restrictions should be placed on the trade of Fipronil and Imidacloprid, the only exceptional continued use should come under strict conditions of prescription only via veterinary medical professionals and for a limited time period."A report last year by Wild New Forest and the Freshwater Habitats Trust showed high levels of imidacloprid at four locations and previous research has found it negatively affected insect said: "The VMD is developing the evidence base and has commissioned scientific research to investigate how these substances reach rivers and streams and they are working closely with stakeholders to collect data and address the issue and they are supporting calls for a review of the internationally agreed environmental risk assessment standards."
The Guardian
26-03-2025
- Science
- The Guardian
Microplastics and pesticides aiding death of sea stars in Washington state
Microplastics and a widely used pesticide are helping kill off sea star populations in Washington state's Puget Sound, new research shows. The findings come as researchers look into what has caused a mass sunflower sea star die off in the region. Though it's not yet clear whether the toxic substances are at the die off's root, the study found that microplastics and the pesticide have detrimental impacts on young sea stars, which could prevent the population from rebounding. Finding that the two pollutants cause mortality in sea stars is 'not good', said Allie Tissot, a doctoral candidate at Portland State University and co-author. 'Their populations are really low and there are only so many on the coast right now,' Tossit said. 'There are so many microplastics, contaminants and chemicals that might be in their environment, so we don't know what the full combination of effects may be.' Sunflower sea stars in the Pacific north-west are considered endangered by some groups as wasting sea star syndrome decimates the population. That's created a domino effect that is throwing off an ecological balance in the region. Too few sunflower sea stars results in the proliferation of sea urchins that consume kelp that provides a range of benefits to aquatic life along the coast, including providing shelter for young fish. The pesticide, Imidacloprid, has been known to devastate bee populations and kill songbirds. The substance is about to be banned in the UK, but the US Environmental Protection Agency has resisted calls for a prohibition. The study also focused on microfibers, a type of microplastic that typically comes from clothing and textiles, and is about one-fifth the size of a human hair. Microfibers are a toxic material that can also carry dangerous chemicals. Laundry machines are thought to be the main source of microfibers because the pieces shed from clothing during wash cycles. Among other issues, the pesticide caused gut malformations and prevented the stars' stomachs from growing, which ultimately killed them. Imidacloprid, which targets mosquitos, works by preventing the insects' stomachs from growing, so it is not entirely surprising that it has the same impact on other organisms. The microfibers also seemed to accelerate growth, a response likely stemming from the stars being unable to get enough nutrients. The contaminants may not be causing wasting sea star syndrome, Tissot said, but it could be preventing the population from recovering. The findings also caused alarm because researchers only looked at the effects of two common contaminants – sea stars are exposed to a wide range of toxins that could impact their health. However, help may be on the way. The state senate in Oregon, Washington's southern neighbor, is considering a bill that would require microplastic filters in new washing machines sold in the state. Meanwhile, the federal government has proposed listing the sunflower sea star as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. That action would trigger a prohibition on spreading the pesticide in the region. 'The least we can do is to reduce additional stressors on marine ecosystems, such as pesticide inputs and plastic contamination,' said Jason Hodin, a study co-author and University of Washington researcher.
