What does this research mean for the field?

Half of the waterways on protected lands in Illinois contain neonicotinoid concentrations exceeding EPA benchmarks for chronic exposure, which negatively correlates with insect biomass in areas with high surrounding agriculture. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine the distribution and seasonal concentrations of neonicotinoid pesticides in protected waterways and assess their associations with surrounding agriculture and insect biomass.

August 22, 2026Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and ToxicologyOpen Access

Neonicotinoid Levels Exceed EPA Benchmarks in Half of Waterways on Illinois Protected Lands

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Authors

THTara C. Hohoff EBErika E. Bilger RGRicky Gieser

Discussion

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Overview

Observational survey reveals neonicotinoid concentrations exceeding EPA chronic benchmarks in half of protected waterway sites, suggesting risks to insect biomass and broader food webs.

Key Points

To determine the distribution and seasonal concentrations of neonicotinoid pesticides in protected waterways and assess their associations with surrounding agriculture and insect biomass.
Surveyed water samples across N=50 protected waterway sites in Illinois throughout the growing season.
Measured concentrations of imidacloprid and clothianidin relative to US EPA chronic exposure benchmarks.
Quantified surrounding agricultural land proportions and sampled insect biomass at the study locations.
25 of 50 surveyed sites (50%) exhibited concentrations of at least one neonicotinoid (imidacloprid or clothianidin) exceeding EPA chronic exposure benchmarks.
Imidacloprid concentrations frequently exceeded benchmarks in Cook County, whereas clothianidin exceeded benchmarks in central Illinois.
Clothianidin levels and agricultural land proportion were negatively associated with measured insect biomass, with no seasonal peak identified for either compound.

Cite This Study

Hohoff et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a895ffeca7ade938187efde https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-026-04311-1

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August 22, 2026Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and ToxicologyOpen Access

Neonicotinoid Levels Exceed EPA Benchmarks in Half of Waterways on Illinois Protected Lands

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

THTara C. Hohoff EBErika E. Bilger RGRicky Gieser

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Observational survey reveals neonicotinoid concentrations exceeding EPA chronic benchmarks in half of protected waterway sites, suggesting risks to insect biomass and broader food webs.

Key Points

To determine the distribution and seasonal concentrations of neonicotinoid pesticides in protected waterways and assess their associations with surrounding agriculture and insect biomass.
Surveyed water samples across N=50 protected waterway sites in Illinois throughout the growing season.
Measured concentrations of imidacloprid and clothianidin relative to US EPA chronic exposure benchmarks.
Quantified surrounding agricultural land proportions and sampled insect biomass at the study locations.
25 of 50 surveyed sites (50%) exhibited concentrations of at least one neonicotinoid (imidacloprid or clothianidin) exceeding EPA chronic exposure benchmarks.
Imidacloprid concentrations frequently exceeded benchmarks in Cook County, whereas clothianidin exceeded benchmarks in central Illinois.
Clothianidin levels and agricultural land proportion were negatively associated with measured insect biomass, with no seasonal peak identified for either compound.

Cite This Study

Hohoff et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a895ffeca7ade938187efde https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-026-04311-1

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