Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–June 9, 2014. A recent talk given by Donald Weston, PhD, a professor emeritus in UC Berkeleyâs Department of Integrative Biology, to a community group in San Jose, California warned residents about the dangers that lawn care insecticides present to local aquatic life. The talk focused on the problems synthetic pyrethroids and fipronil can have on Hyalella azteca and Chironomus dilutes. Increasing levels of pesticide runoff in local stream systems have not only led to decreased populations of these aquatic crustaceans, but also populations that have become resistant to pesticides. Aquatic invertebrates are extremely sensitive to pesticide runoff and different states around the country have struggled with creating pesticide regulations that foster a healthy aquatic ecosystem. A good way to reduce pesticide runoff is to transition away from toxic land care methods and adopt organic practices.
