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.

Soil is a fragile ecosystem that could be contaminated by several factors such as anthropogenic and natural means: heavy metals, pesticides, hydrocarbon or petrochemicals, and leachates from wastes. This ex situ study intends to determine the bioremediation potentials of African mound termites (Macrotemes bellicosus) with their ability to improve the physical and to reduce the chemical and heavy metal contents in dumpsite soils. Three sites have been investigated (virgin soil, active dumpsite, dormant dumpsite). The influence of M. bellicosus on the dumpsite soil was appraised statistically using General Linear Model Analysis of Variance set at p > 0.05 is not significant. The activities of the termites reduced the heavy metals to Fe(III) (1.10 mg/kg), Mn(III) (1.37 mg/kg), Zn (15.30 mg/kg), Cu(II) (0.95 mg/kg), Cr(III) (0.19 mg/kg), Cd (2.25 mg/kg), Pb (0.10 mg/kg), Ni (0.08 mg/kg), V(V) (0.05 mg/kg), and THC (0.90 mg/kg) with F values of 2.07, 1.87, 1.51, 1.36, 1.47, 1.35, 1.85, 3.04, 3.00, and 1.42. The termites were able to significantly reduce the levels of the chemical loads of the dump soil at different day intervals (0, 30, 60, and 90 days) in the active site. Gentle variations were also noticed in dormant and virgin sites correspondingly. The level of heavy metal concentrations in Macrotemes bellicosus was in the following ranks: Fe(III)>Zn>Pb>Cr(III)>Cd>Mn(III)>Cu(II)>Ni>V(V). The bioaccumulation factors for heavy metals in the termites revealed that Fe(III) and Zn had values >1 and ≥1, correspondingly. The study established the potentials of insects like Macrotemes bellicosus for entomoremediation purposes. Prospective utilization of this novel biosystems and biotechnology will enhance the restoration and healthy ecological balance of any dumpsite soil or polluted environments in situ. Graphical Abstract