Neonicotinoid insecticides were initially hailed as safer alternatives to organochlorine and organophosphate pesticides due to their perceived lower toxicity to non-target organisms. However, it has been recently discovered that sublethal exposure to neonicotinoids negatively affects beneficial arthropods that are essential for a functional ecosystem. These beneficial arthropods include pollinators, biological control agents, and decomposers. This review synthesizes current research on the physiological, behavioral, and reproductive consequences of neonicotinoids on non-target arthropods and their broader ecological impact. The chemical and physical properties of neonicotinoids raise concerns about long-term ecological consequences of neonicotinoid use because these chemicals are persistent in plants and soil, which contributes to prolonged exposure risks for organisms. Sublethal doses of neonicotinoids can disrupt the ecological services provided by these organisms by impairing essential biological processes including motor function, odor detection, development, and reproduction in insects, while also altering behavior such as foraging, mating, and nesting. Furthermore, neonicotinoid exposure can alter community structure, disrupting trophic interactions and food web stability. Recognizing the sublethal impacts of neonicotinoids is critical for the development of more sustainable pest management strategies. It is imperative that future research investigates the underlying mechanisms of sublethal toxicity and identifies safer, more effective approaches to neonicotinoid-based pest control to mitigate adverse ecological effects. Incorporating this knowledge into future environmental risk assessments will be essential for protecting biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem functionality.

Mating is a crucial event in animal life, with significant implications for individual fitness. Insects have evolved complex mating systems and behaviors, such as pheromone signaling and elaborate courtship rituals, that convey vital information about species identity, mate quality, and receptiveness of prospective mates, thereby enhancing reproductive success. These signals are especially critical in social species where a single female founds a colony following a single event of mating. In this study, we investigate the short-range signals produced by gynes (newly emerged queens) and their role in mating in Bombus impatiens. Mating in bumblebees is facilitated by males marking mating sites with long-range labial gland pheromones, which attract gynes. It is assumed that gynes produce short-range signals necessary to initiate mating. While male bumblebee sex pheromones have been extensively studied across many species, the short-range signals produced by gynes remain poorly understood. Our findings show that males rely on multimodal signals, composed of visual, context-dependent sex pheromones, and likely also vibrational signals produced by gynes. Choice bioassays designed to isolate the different signals produced by gynes indicate that visual cues are essential but not sufficient for successful mating, and compounds from the labial and dufour glands likely play a role in attracting males. Our results also highlight the possible importance of vibrational signals for male attraction. Together, these findings underscore the role of gynes in regulating mating and the significance of context in eliciting male responses and mate selection through various signals.