The ecotoxicological profile of the insecticide Movento~R with its active ingredient spirotetramat was investigated by testing representative species of a broad variety of taxonomic groups that may be exposed to spirotetramat or its metabolites afterapplication of the product. Spirotetramat is of low acute and short-term toxicity to birds and mammals. There were no adverse effects in a quail reproduction study up to high doses, but the endpoint of a duck reproduction study was significantly lower. However, there is no unacceptable chronic risk for birds when more realistic exposure conditions are considered. There is no undue chronic risk to mammals and no potential of bioaccumulation of the compound. The metabolites also pose no environmental riskto birds and mammals. Aquatic organisms are of low sensitivity to spirotetramat in terms of acute as well as of chronic toxicity. The most sensitive aquatic organisms are chironomid midges; however, even here toxicity is low enough so that risk mitigation measures are not required for most uses to protect aquatic habitats. All relevant metabolites of spirotetramat are of low to negligible toxicity to aquatic organisms. Spirotetramat shows no acute toxicity to honeybees. An intrinsic potential to causebrood effects was seen in lower-tier studies under unrealistic exposure conditions. Under more realistic conditions no adverse effects to the bee brood were observed in higher-tier trials. Predatory mites are the most sensitive terrestrial arthropods. But under realistic exposure conditions even in-crop populations either suffer no significant adverse effects after applications of spirotetramat or they recover within the growing season. For off-crop populations no adverse effects are to be expected. Soil organisms like earthworms, soil mites and soil micro-organisms were found to be of low sensitivity or insensitive to spirotetramat and its metabolites. Although there is an intrinsic potential of spirotetramat to cause phytotoxic effects, in particularto monocotyledonous plants, it was shown in higher-tier studies that non-target terrestrial plants in off-crop habitats are not at risk of adverse effects. In conclusion, Spirotetramat exhibits a very favourable ecotoxicological profile and, when used as recommended, there is no unacceptable risk to ecosystems and to non-target organisms.
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