PubMed · 2026-05-20
This review examines how imidacloprid, one of the world's most common insecticides, moves through and breaks down in the environment — and how its byproducts continue to harm beneficial insects like bees, decomposers, and natural pest predators long after application.
Imidacloprid persists in soil and water long after application, with breakdown rates heavily influenced by temperature, pH, and organic matter content.
Metabolites formed during degradation can retain significant toxicity, meaning environmental risk does not end when the parent compound breaks down.
Nontarget insects — including pollinators, decomposers, and natural pest controllers — face measurable population-level risks, threatening pollination services and broader ecosystem balance.