The EPA has concluded that neonicotinoids likely harm about 75% of all endangered plants and animals under the ESA.

The EPA has concluded that neonicotinoids likely harm about 75% of all endangered plants and animals under the ESA.

• A. Organophosphates
• B. Neonicotinoids
• C. Pyrethroids
• D. Triazines

Answer: (B)

Neonicotinoids are systemic insecticides that move through plant tissues and persist in the environment, which means they can expose non-target insects and other wildlife across large portions of ecosystems, including species that are endangered. This broad, long-lasting exposure is why the EPA ties this class to potential harm to a large share of endangered plants and animals under the Endangered Species Act. Among the options, this class is the one specifically associated with that ESA harm assessment. Organophosphates are also toxic to wildlife but the statement in question is about the EPA’s conclusion regarding neonicotinoids. Pyrethroids are another insecticide class with toxicity concerns, but they aren’t the ones referenced in this ESA context. Triazines are herbicides, affecting plants rather than acting as insecticides that impact animal species, so they don’t fit the stated ESA harm assessment.

Neonicotinoids are systemic insecticides that move through plant tissues and persist in the environment, which means they can expose non-target insects and other wildlife across large portions of ecosystems, including species that are endangered. This broad, long-lasting exposure is why the EPA ties this class to potential harm to a large share of endangered plants and animals under the Endangered Species Act. Among the options, this class is the one specifically associated with that ESA harm assessment.

Organophosphates are also toxic to wildlife but the statement in question is about the EPA’s conclusion regarding neonicotinoids. Pyrethroids are another insecticide class with toxicity concerns, but they aren’t the ones referenced in this ESA context. Triazines are herbicides, affecting plants rather than acting as insecticides that impact animal species, so they don’t fit the stated ESA harm assessment.