Quail and Pesticides

UNT biologists are expanding research into how common pesticides affect Texas quail populations, and the results may have implications for human health. Studies have shown that neonicotinoids, a common ingredient in pesticides, have an impact on honeybee colonies, and the U.S. EPA has recognized them as a threat to pollinators. Kelly Reyna, assistant professor of biology and executive director of UNT Quail, aims to find out how they affect quail that eat coated seeds or plants, and how they affect the development of quail embryos. He will work with biologists Dane Crossley and Jeff Johnson and graduate students Amanda Gobeli and Caitlin Thompson on the project, which could shed light on how humans respond to ingestion of neonicotinoids in their food.

Continue Reading