Stop using pesticides as seed dressings and sprays in flower beds and greenspace

Overall effectiveness category Evidence not assessed
Number of studies: 1
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How is the evidence assessed?

Effectiveness

not assessed
Certainty

not assessed
Harms

not assessed

Calculating overall effectiveness category

Background information and definitions

Plants growing within urban landscapes, such as in flower beds and greenspaces, could provide important habitat for wildlife, including butterflies and moths. However, these areas are often subject to intense management, including regular doses of pesticides which can kill butterflies and moths. Managing public areas without the use of pesticides may help to support butterfly and moth populations in urban areas.

For other management options for urban greenspaces, see “Stop using herbicides on pavements and road verges”, “Residential and commercial development – Plant parks and gardens with appropriate native species” and “Residential and commercial development – Alter mowing regimes on greenspaces and road verges”.

Study locations

Key messages

One study evaluated the effects on butterflies and moths of stopping the use of pesticides as seed dressings and sprays in flower beds and greenspaces. The study was in France.

COMMUNITY RESPONSE (0 STUDIES)

POPULATION RESPONSE (1 STUDY)

Abundance (1 study): One replicated, site comparison study in France found that gardens where insecticides and herbicides were not used had a higher abundance of butterflies, but gardens where fungicides and snail pellets were not used had a lower abundance of butterflies

BEHAVIOUR (0 STUDIES)

About key messages

Key messages provide a descriptive index to studies we have found that test this intervention.

Studies are not directly comparable or of equal value. When making decisions based on this evidence, you should consider factors such as study size, study design, reported metrics and relevance of the study to your situation, rather than simply counting the number of studies that support a particular interpretation.

Supporting evidence from individual studies

A replicated, site comparison study in 2009–2011 in 3,722 private gardens in France (Muratet & Fontaine 2015) found that there was a higher abundance of butterflies in gardens where insecticides and herbicides were not used, compared to where they were, and where there were more natural features, but a lower abundance of butterflies where fungicides and snail pellets were not used compared to where they were. There were significantly more butterflies in gardens that used no pesticides (average: 7) than those with insecticide (average: 6) and herbicide (average: 7) use, but fewer butterflies in gardens that did not use conventional (average: 7) or Bordeaux mixture (average: 7) fungicides or snail pellets (average: 7). There was no difference in abundance between gardens that did and did not use fertilizer. Additionally, there were more butterflies in gardens which had more “natural” features, such as fallow plots, nettles, ivy, brambles and dead trees (data presented as model results). Data was obtained from a citizen monitoring scheme across France. Monthly from March–October participants submitted information about their gardens, including the number of butterflies seen, the presence of fallow plots, nettles, ivy, brambles and dead trees, and whether they use chemicals in gardening.
Study and other actions tested
Referenced paper
Muratet A. & Fontaine B. (2015) Contrasting impacts of pesticides on butterflies and bumblebees in private gardens in France. Biological Conservation, 182, 148-154.

Please cite as:

Bladon A.J., Bladon, E. K., Smith R.K. & Sutherland W.J. (2023) Butterfly and Moth Conservation: Global Evidence for the Effects of Interventions for butterflies and moths. Conservation Evidence Series Synopsis. University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Where has this evidence come from?

List of journals searched by synopsis

All the journals searched for all synopses

This Action forms part of the Action Synopsis:

Butterfly and Moth Conservation

Related Actions

	Actions	Effectiveness	Studies	Category
	Stop using pesticides as seed dressings and sprays in flower beds and greenspace Action Link	Evidence not assessed	1	Synopsis Link
	Stop using herbicides on pavements and road verges Action Link	Awaiting assessment	2	Synopsis Link