A Comprehensive Review on Synthetic Insecticides: Toxicity to Pollinators, Associated Risk to Food Security, and Management Approaches

Purpose The application of insecticides has been practiced over decades to protect crops from pests. The toxicity of insecticides to nontarget pollinators is now evident, and many pollinator species are in peril due to the uncontrolled application of insecticides which is, furthermore, a concern for sustainable food production. Therefore, this review aims to give an insight into the impacts of insecticide application on pollinators and food security. Methods In the early section of this review, a brief discussion on the role of insect and mammalian pollinators in pollination has been added. Later on, different synthetic insecticides used in agriculture and their toxicity to pollinators have been extensively reviewed. In the following section, associated risks of insecticide application to food security and human nutrition have been discussed. At the end of this review, several management approaches have been pointed out to reduce insecticide exposure and eventually conserve pollinators. Results It has been found that insecticide exposure of pollinators results in physiological, behavioral, and foraging impairments which could be the reason for low crop yield and an incidental threat to food security. Conclusions This review can be used as a reference for future research in the conservation of pollinators.