Final National Level Listed Species Biological Evaluation for Thiamethoxam
In June 2022, EPA released the final Biological Evaluation (BE) assessing effects to listed species from labeled uses of thiamethoxam. 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 thiamethoxam 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 thiamethoxam, 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 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Marine Fisheries Service (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.
EPA is taking further steps in Endangered Species Act (ESA) consultation with the Services by providing additional analyses on three neonicotinoids: clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam. These additional analyses are intended to predict which species could be at jeopardy and which critical habitats could face adverse modification from the use of these pesticides. EPA conducted some of these analyses in order to expedite ESA consultations with the Services. The analyses will also help EPA and the Services prioritize mitigation measures for the highest risk species. These analyses were completed as part of EPA’s efforts to meet its obligations under the ESA and furthers the goals outlined in EPA’s April 2022 ESA Workplan to provide practical protections for listed species from pesticides.
The models and tools used to conduct this BE can be found here.
Neonicotinoid J/AM Supporting Excel Files (ZIP)
On this page:
- Response to Comments (RTC) on the Draft BEs for Clothianidin, Imidacloprid, and Thiamethoxam
- Thiamethoxam Executive Summary
- Chapter 1: Thiamethoxam Problem Formulation
- Chapter 2: Thiamethoxam Effects Characterization
- Chapter 3: Thiamethoxam Exposure Characterization
- Chapter 4: Thiamethoxam Effects Determinations
Response to Comments (RTC) on the Draft BEs for Clothianidin, Imidacloprid, and Thiamethoxam (DOCX)
Thiamethoxam Executive Summary (DOCX)
Chapter 1: Final Thiamethoxam 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 Thiamethoxam Exposure Area and Species Ranges and Critical Habitat for Species Located Outside of the 48 Contiguous States (NL48) (DOCX)
Chapter 2: Thiamethoxam Effects Characterization (DOCX)
Attachments
Appendices
- APPENDIX 2-1. Data Used in the Data Array (XLSX)
- 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)
Chapter 3: Thiamethoxam 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: Thiamethoxam Effects Determinations (DOCX)
Attachments
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)