Acute and (sub)chronic toxicity of the neonicotinoid imidacloprid on Chironomus riparius

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 209; pp. 568 - 577
• Main Authors: Njattuvetty Chandran, Naveen, Fojtova, Dana, Blahova, Lucie, Rozmankova, Eliska, Blaha, Ludek
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2018
• Subjects: Aquatic insects; Fitness traits; GSH; GSSG; Lipid peroxidation; Oxidative stress; Lipid peroxidation; Oxidative stress; GSSG; Aquatic insects; GSH; Fitness traits
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.06.102

Impacts of neonicotinoids on non-target insects, including aquatic species, may significantly influence ecosystem structure and functioning. The present study investigated the sensitivity of Chironomus riparius to imidacloprid exposures during 24-h, 10- and 28-days by assessing larval survival, growth, emergence and oxidative stress-related parameters. C. riparius exhibited high sensitivity compared to other model aquatic species with acute 24-h LC50 being 31.5 μg/L and 10-days LOEC (growth) 0.625 μg/L. A 28-days partial life cycle test demonstrated imidacloprid effects on the emergence of C. riparius. Exposure to sublethal concentrations during 10-days caused an imbalance in the reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH and GSSG), and slightly induced lipid peroxidation (increased malondialdehyde, MDA). Our results indicate that oxidative stress may be a relevant mechanism in the neonicotinoid toxicity, reflected in the insect development and life cycle parameters. [Display omitted] •Detailed assessment of acute and chronic toxicity in Chironomus riparius.•Imidacloprid inhibited larval development and affected emergence.•Detected oxidative stress and effects on reduced and oxidized glutathione.