Contrasting impacts of pesticides on butterflies and bumblebees in private gardens in France
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Published source details
Muratet A. & Fontaine B. (2015) Contrasting impacts of pesticides on butterflies and bumblebees in private gardens in France. Biological Conservation, 182, 148-154.
Published source details Muratet A. & Fontaine B. (2015) Contrasting impacts of pesticides on butterflies and bumblebees in private gardens in France. Biological Conservation, 182, 148-154.
Actions
This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
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Stop using pesticides as seed dressings and sprays in flower beds and greenspace Action Link |
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Practise ‘wildlife gardening’ Action Link |
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Stop using pesticides as seed dressings and sprays in flower beds and greenspace
A replicated, site comparison study in 2009–2011 in 3,722 private gardens in France (Muratet & Fontaine 2015) found that there was a higher abundance of butterflies in gardens where insecticides and herbicides were not used, compared to where they were, and where there were more natural features, but a lower abundance of butterflies where fungicides and snail pellets were not used compared to where they were. There were significantly more butterflies in gardens that used no pesticides (average: 7) than those with insecticide (average: 6) and herbicide (average: 7) use, but fewer butterflies in gardens that did not use conventional (average: 7) or Bordeaux mixture (average: 7) fungicides or snail pellets (average: 7). There was no difference in abundance between gardens that did and did not use fertilizer. Additionally, there were more butterflies in gardens which had more “natural” features, such as fallow plots, nettles, ivy, brambles and dead trees (data presented as model results). Data was obtained from a citizen monitoring scheme across France. Monthly from March–October participants submitted information about their gardens, including the number of butterflies seen, the presence of fallow plots, nettles, ivy, brambles and dead trees, and whether they use chemicals in gardening.
(Summarised by: Eleanor Bladon)
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Practise ‘wildlife gardening’
A replicated, site comparison study in 2009–2011 in 3,722 private gardens in France (Muratet & Fontaine 2015) found that there was a higher abundance of butterflies in gardens where insecticides and herbicides were not used and where there were more natural features, but a lower abundance of butterflies where fungicides and snail pellets were not used. There were significantly more butterflies in gardens that used no pesticides (average: 7) than those with insecticide (average: 6) and herbicide (average: 7) use, but fewer butterflies in gardens that did not use conventional (average: 7) or Bordeaux mixture (average: 7) fungicides or snail pellets (average: 7). There was no difference in abundance between gardens that did and did not use fertilizer. Additionally, there were more butterflies in gardens which had more “natural” features, such as fallow plots, nettles, ivy, brambles and dead trees (data presented as model results). Data was obtained from a citizen monitoring scheme across France. Monthly from March–October participants submitted information about their gardens, including the number of butterflies seen, the presence of fallow plots, nettles, ivy, brambles and dead trees, and whether they use chemicals in gardening.
(Summarised by: Eleanor Bladon)
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