CBCGDF to Establish a Community Conservation Area for Insects in Dalian, Responding to Biodiversity Loss Brought by Extensive UAV Pesticide Spraying for Pine Wilt Disease Prevention

Dalian is a city located in the Liaoning Province of northeastern China. In the battle against Pine Wilt Disease (caused by invasive Bursaphelenchus xylophilus), the city of Dalian has, for several consecutive years, conducted large-scale preventive pesticide spraying operations, abbreviated as "aerial pest control." This involved the use of lightweight helicopters to disperse a pesticide suspension, primarily utilizing a 2%-3% Thiacloprid microcapsule suspension. However, the extensive use of Thiacloprid, a novel neonicotinoid insecticide, has resulted in severe damage to biodiversity. Since 2017, numerous local residents and volunteers have reported to the Insect-Watching Committee of the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) that while these aerial pest control operations have achieved some success in combating Pine Wilt Disease, they have also inflicted a certain degree of harm on the surrounding ecosystem and inconvenienced residents.

Local people and CBCGDF volunteers have noted the following concerns:

1. A significant reduction in insect populations within the sprayed areas, including mantises, ants, and crickets.
2. A decrease in bird species that rely on insects as their primary food source.
3. The timing of aerial pest control coincides with the peak of summer, forcing residents to keep doors and windows tightly shut and restricting outdoor activities. This has had a noticeable impact on residents' daily lives, with some experiencing mild discomfort.
4. Dalian's hilly terrain and mountainous surroundings mean that residential buildings are often constructed on slopes, placing them in close proximity to the pesticide-sprayed areas. As a result, the aircraft used for spraying can inadvertently affect nearby residents.

Over the years, these issues have intensified, prompting concerned local volunteers to provide feedback in 2023. To address the alarming decline in insect biodiversity, the CBCGDF has made the decision to establish a Community Conservation Area for Insects in Dalian. This initiative aims to promote nature-based solutions for pest management and encourages public participation in combatting plant diseases and pests.

In light of the environmental challenges posed by extensive pesticide spraying, the CBCGDF is committed to finding sustainable and ecologically friendly solutions. The establishment of a community conservation area represents a significant step towards protecting biodiversity and fostering a greater understanding of the delicate balance between human activities and the natural world. By involving the community and promoting responsible pest management practices, we hope to mitigate the negative impacts of Pine Wilt Disease prevention efforts and ensure a healthier and more harmonious environment for all. The CBCGDF remains dedicated to its mission of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, striving to create a future where humans and nature coexist in harmony. Below is a report the CBCGDF received this summer detailed in the city's biodiversity loss in data. (Editor's note by Littlejane)

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Drastic Decline in Insect Biodiversity in Dalian City Due to Aerial Pesticide Spraying

By Guo Guoqiang

Insects play a crucial role in maintaining the stability of ecosystems through their numbers and variety. The natural ecological chain is composed of all living organisms, with plants and insects forming its foundational elements. By capturing moments through a camera lens, I have observed a sharp decline in the insect population this year, prompting me to compare the current situation with previous years. In this article, I will analyze the impact of recent helicopter aerial pesticide spraying operations on insects and emphasize the importance of our generation's efforts to protect the environment.

On July 7, 2023, a sunny Friday afternoon, I set out with my camera to a nearby insect-watching spot. This area, situated on the edge of a hill within a residential community, boasts a diverse range of vegetation and is typically a paradise for insects. However, after nearly an hour of searching, I had identified only six species of insects, a stark contrast to what one would expect during this season. It should be a time when insects are abundant, and this made me question the accuracy of my memory: could I have misremembered the timing?

Upon returning home, I turned to my computer's image library to retrieve records from the same date in previous years. There was no record for July 7, 2022, suggesting that I might have been preoccupied with other matters or that it had been a rainy day when I didn't make observations. However, when I examined the records from July 7, 2021, I was surprised to find documentation of 47 different insect species on that day. It became clear that my memory was not at fault; there truly was a lack of insects this year.

In fact, the insect population had already been on a steady decline since 2016 when helicopter aerial pesticide spraying operations commenced in the urban areas. Each year witnessed a reduction in the number of insects, with the saying "Each year is worse than the last" accurately reflecting the situation. The most noticeable decline was in beetles and butterflies. However, this year's sudden and drastic decrease in insect numbers was deeply concerning and challenged my expectations.

Looking back to the same day in 2021, while there was a noticeable decrease in fly species, the overall diversity of insects appeared relatively intact. Except for a few beetle species that had formed large populations, most other insects were still visible. However, even this optimism was dashed last year due to the decreased fly population, which, in turn, led to fewer predators like mantises, assassin bugs, and various spiders. This year, these predatory insects were exceptionally rare, with sightings of mantises and piebald hunting bugs limited to just one each, and jumping spiders, garden spiders, and crab spiders far less common than in previous years.

This period should be ideal for observing butterflies, as wildflowers are in full bloom and they are the primary pollinators. Regrettably, I encountered very few butterflies during several days of observation. Species that had once been abundant, such as common bluebottles, cabbage white butterflies, swallowtails, and gray hairstreaks, were now scarce. Even more alarming was the absence of various species of skippers, which are usually a common sight during this season.

Since helicopter aerial pesticide spraying operations began in the summer of 2016, I have repeatedly criticized this indiscriminate use of insecticides. I have expressed my concerns to relevant authorities numerous times but have been unable to halt this practice. The consequences of these actions are now manifesting. Over the past few years, the breeding conditions for resident birds in our city have worsened. The breeding success rates of magpies, azure-winged magpies, Eurasian jays, and even sparrows have significantly declined. During last autumn's bird migration observations, we witnessed an unusual number of deaths among small migrant birds, including warblers, something we had never seen before. Additionally, the total number of migratory birds recorded this spring during migration was significantly lower, dampening the enthusiasm of many birdwatchers.

The dramatic decline in insects is a cause for grave concern. If this trend continues, how far are we from an ecological catastrophe? The natural ecological chain is composed of all living organisms, with plants and insects forming its foundational elements. If the foundation is weakened, the entire chain is at risk of collapsing. The solution seems simple, but who will take notice and step forward to address this critical issue?

Article by Guo Guoqiang
Date：2023-07-11

【related report in BioGreen】
https://baijiahao.baidu.com/s?id=1771087122958536053

Editor: Richard

Contact: v10@cbcgdf.org; +8617319454776

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