Pesticides in pollinator tissue collected from margins near agricultural fields in Conservation Areas of Missouri

Wild bee and butterfly samples were collected from the margins of agricultural fields located on five Conservation Areas in Missouri. In 2016 and 2017, samples were collected and composited by genera for a total of 90 samples. Samples were extracted via pressurized liquid extraction and solid phase extraction cleanup. Samples were analyzed for 168 pesticides and degradates using both gas and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Overall, 16 pesticides were detected. Pesticides detected in greater than 2% of the composite samples included: metolachlor (24%), tebuconazole (22%), atrazine (18%), imidacloprid desnitro (13%), bifenthrin (9%), flumetralin (9%), p,p’-DDD (6%), tebupirimfos (4%), fludioxonil (4%), flutriafol (3%), cyproconazole (2%), and oxadiazon (2%). Concentrations for individual pesticides ranged from 2 to 174 ng/g. Results indicate that wild pollinators are exposed to a wide variety of pesticides.