Pyrethroids and terrestrial non‐target organisms

Abstract The discovery and development of the pyrethroid insecticides represents a major advance in the techniques of crop protection and disease vector control. These compounds combine outstanding efficacy against a broad spectrum of noxious insects with low toxicity to birds and mammals. This paper considers the effects of pyrethroids on other components of the terrestrial non‐target fauna, with particular reference to effects on ‘beneficial’ organisms, including natural pest‐control agents, pollinators, and organisms responsible for the maintenance of soil structure and fertility. This paper uses laboratory and field data to identify which groups of organisms may be potentially at risk from the use of pyrethroids, and draws on extensive field data to consider the significance of such hazards under conditions of normal use. Emphasis will be placed throughout on the evaluation of these compounds under practical conditions, including both crop and non‐crop usages. Limitations to, and opportunities for, the use of pyrethroids are discussed, and the potential for further development is considered.