Concentrations of clothianidin as low as 1 part per billion are harmful to monarch butterfly caterpillars

New research has identified the neonicotinoid insecticide clothianidin as a likely contributor to monarch butterfly declines in North America. The research, published on April 3rd 2015, identifies concentrations of clothianidin as low as 1 part per billion as harmful to monarch butterfly caterpillars. These concentrations of clothianidin were found in the populations of milkweeds sampled by the researchers. Previously, no research had been done on neonicotinoids and butterflies and therefore this is the first report of neonicotinoids affecting monarchs or any other butterflies. The research was conducted in Brookings, South Dakota and is published in the journal Science and Nature (Springer).

Source: Independent Science News, April 2015
http://www.independentsciencenews.org/#article/1984