neonicotinoid

noun

neo·​nic·​o·​ti·​noid ˌnē-(ˌ)ō-ˈni-kə-tə-ˌnȯid 

plural neonicotinoids

: any of a class of systemic water-soluble insecticides (such as imidacloprid) chemically related to nicotine that are used especially in agriculture to control destructive pests (such as aphids and mites) and that selectively bind to the postsynaptic nicotinic receptors of insects to produce paralysis and death

The class of chemicals, called neonicotinoids, is used in agricultural fields worldwide to reduce crop-eating pests.

—Beth Mole

Neonicotinoids … are applied as seed or soil treatments, and also directly to the foliage of vegetable, orchard, field, turf and ornamental crops.

—Kathy Keatley Garvey

Several reports have blamed neonicotinoids, a relatively new class of pesticide, for aiding in the nearly decade-long die-off of honeybees.

—Douglas Quenqua

called also neonic

Examples of neonicotinoid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One recent study, for example, linked insecticides — and particularly neonicotinoids — to the decline of butterflies in the Midwest. —Benji Jones, Vox, 18 Sep. 2024

When planting native species, Boritt encourages people to stay away from dangerous chemical treatments like neonicotinoids that can kill native insects. —Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Apr. 2024

Insecticides, including neonicotinoids, leave behind harmful residues that are toxic to crucial pollinators, such as honeybees, and sticky bands can inadvertently trap birds, small animals and other insects in their adhesive grip. —Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Mar. 2024

The greatest of these threats are collisions with obstacles, especially windows; powerful classes of pesticide, such as neonicotinoids; and a non-native predatory species, cats. —Jonathan Franzen, The New Yorker, 25 Dec. 2023

The adverse effects of the insecticides known as neonicotinoids on bees are well documented. —Lars Chittka, Scientific American, 14 June 2023

Now, a group of researchers has added heat to the debate, showing that even small amounts of one particular neonicotinoid — a neurotoxic insecticide called imidacloprid — can affect migrating songbirds’ appetites. —Roni Dengler, Discover Magazine, 11 Sep. 2019

The worrisome study of birds, published in July in the journal Nature, focused on the effect of imidacloprid, the most popular neonicotinoid, on 15 species. —Dan Hurley, Discover Magazine, 25 Nov. 2014

But the pesticides, like pyrethroid and neonicotinoid, are toxic to bees. —Theresa MacHemer, Smithsonian Magazine, 29 July 2020

Word History

Etymology

neo- + nicotinoid "neurotoxic compound related to nicotine," from nicotine + -oid entry 1

First Known Use

1993, in the meaning defined above