European-Banned Fungicide Threatens Australian Insects

Macquarie University research shows that a chemical banned in Europe but still used in Australia to kill fungus on produce is also harming beneficial insects and pollinators, potentially contributing to global insect decline.

The chemical, chlorothalonil, commonly used as an agricultural fungicide, has been found to impact the reproduction and survival of insects, even at low levels found on various food items.

Lead author Darshika Dissawa, a PhD candidate at Macquarie’s School of Natural Sciences, stated that even the lowest concentration of chlorothalonil had a significant negative impact on the reproduction of tested flies, affecting both male and female fertility.

The study used the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster as a model and found that exposure to chlorothalonil led to a 37% drop in egg production in mature flies compared to unexposed individuals.

Associate Professor Fleur Ponton, a supervising author, expressed surprise at the dramatic decline in egg production, emphasizing that even small amounts of chlorothalonil can have a strong negative effect.

Chlorothalonil, banned in the EU, is widely used in Australia on crops like fruits and vegetables to control fungal diseases. The chemical has been detected in soil and water near agricultural areas, with residue levels in food ranging from trace amounts to 460 milligrams per kilogram.

The research highlights the unintended consequences of using chlorothalonil on non-target species and calls for more sustainable agricultural practices to protect beneficial insects and pollinators.

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