Final National Level Listed Species Biological Evaluation for Imidacloprid

In June 2022, EPA released the final Biological Evaluation (BE) assessing effects  to listed species from labeled uses of imidacloprid. The term "listed species" refers to those that are federally listed as endangered or threatened. Since this BE also includes experimental populations and proposed and candidates for listing, the term "listed  species" also applies here to those species. The final BE was conducted according to the Revised Method for National Level Listed Species Biological Evaluations of Conventional Pesticides.

The final BE for imidacloprid is provided in the documents attached below, including 1) a Response to Comments (RTC) document addressing comments received on the draft BEs for clothianidin, thiamethoxam, and imidacloprid and 2) the Executive Summary and four chapters of the BE for imidacloprid, portions of which are further characterized, enhanced, or clarified in the RTC document.  As is typical during the consultation process, EPA will be working with the Services  throughout the consultation to clarify how the effects determinations included in the final BEs and comments received on the draft BEs can best inform the Services’ biological opinions.

The models and tools used to conduct this BE can be found here.

Read the Frequently Asked Questions for the neonicotinoid (clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam) final BEs (PDF).

On this page:

• Response to Comments (RTC) on the Draft BEs for Clothianidin, Imidacloprid, and Thiamethoxam
• Imidacloprid Executive Summary
• Chapter 1: Imidacloprid Problem Formulation
  • Attachments
  • Appendices
• Chapter 2: Imidacloprid Effects Characterization
  • Attachments
  • Appendices
• Chapter 3: Imidacloprid Exposure Characterization
  • Attachments
  • Appendices
• Chapter 4: Imidacloprid Effects Determinations
  • Attachments
  • Appendices

---

Response to Comments (RTC) on the Draft BEs for Clothianidin, Imidacloprid, and Thiamethoxam (DOCX)

Imidacloprid Executive Summary (DOCX)

Chapter 1: Imidacloprid Problem Formulation (DOCX)

Attachments

• ATTACHMENT 1-1.  Methodology for Estimating Exposures to Terrestrial Animals (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates) (DOCX)
• ATTACHMENT 1-2. Aquatic Bin Assignments (XLSX)
• ATTACHMENT 1-3. Explanation of Census Of Agriculture Table Generation (PDF)
• ATTACHMENT 1-4. Usage Data Source Summary-Crosswalk (XLSX)

Appendices

• APPENDIX 1-1. List of Current Registrations (DOCX)
• APPENDIX 1-2. Master Use Summary Table (DOCX)
• APPENDIX 1-3. Scenario Development (DOCX)
• APPENDIX 1-4. Usage Data (PDF)
• APPENDIX 1-5. CDL to UDL Crosswalk (DOCX)
• APPENDIX 1-6. Use Site Footprint (DOCX)
• APPENDIX 1-7. Determination of Overlap of Likely Exposure Area and Listed Species Ranges and Critical Habitat for Species Located in the 48 Contiguous United States (ConUS) (DOCX)
• APPENDIX 1-8. Determination of Overlap of Imidacloprid Exposure Area and Species Ranges and Critical Habitat for Species Located Outside of the 48 Contiguous States (NL48) (DOCX)

Chapter 2: Imidacloprid Effects Characterization (DOCX)

Attachments

• ATTACHMENT 2-1. Effects Arrays (DOCX)
• ATTACHMENT 2-2. Ecological Incidents (DOCX)

Appendices

• APPENDIX 2-1. Data Used in the Data Array (XLSM)
• APPENDIX 2-2. Accepted ECOTOX Database (XLSX)
• APPENDIX 2-3. Open Literature Review (DOCX)
• APPENDIX 2-4. Studies Submitted to US EPA [from Office of Pesticide Programs Information Network (OPPIN)] (DOCX)
• APPENDIX 2-5. Species Sensitivity Distribution Analysis for Aquatic Invertebrates (DOCX)
• APPENDIX 2-6. Species Sensitivity Distribution (SSD) Analysis for Terrestrial Invertebrates (DOCX)

Chapter 3: Imidacloprid Exposure Characterization (DOCX) 

Attachments

• ATTACHMENT 3-1: Background Document: Aquatic Exposure Estimation for Endangered Species (DOCX)
• ATTACHMENT 3-2: Characterization of Neonicotinoid Leaf Reside Data (DOCX) 

Appendices

• APPENDIX 3-1. Supporting Material For Aquatic Modeling (XLSX)
• APPENDIX 3-2. Aquatic Modeling Runs (Please save this file prior to opening) (ZIP)
• APPENDIX 3-3. Open Literature Monitoring Data (DOCX)

Chapter 4: Imidacloprid Effects Determinations (DOCX)

Attachments

• ATTACHMENT 4-1. Criteria for Strength of Evidence in LAA Determination (DOCX)

Appendices

• APPENDIX 4-1. Species Effects Determination Tables (XLSX)
• APPENDIX 4-2. Input Parameters for MAGtool (XLSX)
• APPENDIX 4-3. Curve Number Scaling Factors (XLSX)
• APPENDIX 4-4. Application Date Scaling Factors (XLSX)
• APPENDIX 4-5. Analysis of Non-spray Uses (DOCX)
• APPENDIX 4-6. Analysis Method and Results for Downstream Monitoring (DOCX)
• APPENDIX 4-7. Downstream Monitoring Analysis (XLSX)
• APPENDIX 4-8. Additional Qualitative Species Analyses (DOCX)
• APPENDIX 4-9. MAGtool and Weight of Evidence Output for Individual Species (ZIP)