Clinical Feed

Exposure route mediates toxicological effects of sulphur and fluxapyroxad fungicides in a non-target butterfly

by Mine Yilmazer, Marie Bakenecker, Roland Busch, Farina Fuchs, Anna Hitzler, Klaus Fischer Agricultural intensification and the associated increase in pesticide use have raised c

GIST

by Mine Yilmazer, Marie Bakenecker, Roland Busch, Farina Fuchs, Anna Hitzler, Klaus Fischer Agricultural intensification and the associated increase in pesticide use have raised concerns about impacts on non-target insects. However, fungicides, despite their frequent application, remain poorly studied, particularly for herbivorous species. This is partly caused by the fact that they are considered less harmful than other pesticides. We here investigate the effects of three fungicides commonly used in viticulture, two sulphur- and one fluxapyroxad-based ones, on the cabbage white butterfly ( Pieris rapae ) under controlled laboratory conditions. Larvae were exposed to fungicides orally via treated host plants or by direct contact, and mortality and sublethal effects were assessed during development. In our study, oral exposure did not increase mortality relative to controls. Regarding sublethal effects, larvae exposed orally to sulphur-based fungicides exhibited a longer pupal development compared to controls. Additionally, larvae exposed to fluxapyroxad showed shorter development time and higher fat content than those exposed to sulphur-based fungicides. Contact exposure resulted in increased mortality relative to controls, with no significant differences among fungicides.

Clinical Editorial

PLOS ONE (Medicine) published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 09 Jul 2026. The item focuses on Exposure route mediates toxicological effects of sulphur and fluxapyroxad fungicides in a non-target butterfly. Review the original article for the full source wording and details.

Original source: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0353528