The Side Effects of Pesticides on Nontarget Arthropods

Millennia after the advent of pesticides and nearly eight decades into the widespread use of synthetic compounds, the role of such chemicals in modern society remains pivotal, despite persistent concerns over human and environmental safety. Rather than declining, pesticide use continues to expand, with shifting priorities regarding compound selection and application strategies. The growing prominence of biopesticides broadens pest management options but complicates the evaluation of their side effects. Additionally, evolving pesticide use patterns—including the increasing reliance on mixtures—introduce further complexities, as compound interactions and their effects on exposed organisms require closer scrutiny. Although pesticide risk assessment is a relatively young and evolving field, its progress remains hindered by misconceptions, biases, and oversimplifications. This review integrates ecotoxicology and stress biology into a conceptual framework to address these challenges, advocating for more precise and dynamic approaches to pesticide risk assessment.