Toxicity of sodium nitrite-based vertebrate pesticides for European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)

Authors

Scott J. Werner, USDA APHIS NWRCFollow
Shelagh T. DeLiberto, USDA APHIS NWRCFollow
Hailey E. McLean, U.S.Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research CenterFollow
Katherine E. Horak, USDA APHIS NWRCFollow
Kirt C. VerCauteren, USDA APHIS NWRCFollow

ORCID IDs

Shelagh T. DeLiberto https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9936-487X

Date of this Version

3-2021

Citation

Werner SJ, DeLiberto ST, McLean HE, Horak KE, VerCauteren KC (2021) Toxicity of sodium nitrite-based vertebrate pesticides for European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). PLoS ONE 16(3): e0246277. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal. pone.0246277

Comments

This is an open access article, free of all copyright,

Abstract

In the 21st century, invasive animals rank second only to habitat destruction as the greatest threat to global biodiversity. Socially-acceptable and cost-effective strategies are needed to reduce the negative economic and environmental impacts of invasive animals. We investigated the potential for sodium nitrite (SN; CAS 7632-00-0) to serve as an avian toxicant for European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris L.). We also assessed the non-target hazard of an experimental formulation of SN that is being developed as a toxicant for invasive wild pigs (Sus scrofa L.). In gavage experiments with European starlings, we identified a lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) for mortality of 2.40% technical SN (w/v; 120 mg SN/ kg body mass) and a no observed adverse effect level (NOAEL) for mortality of 1.30% technical SN (65 mg/kg). The exposure of ten starlings to the experimental formulation of SN (10% SN pig toxicant) resulted in one starling mortality during four days of exposure to the toxic bait. Sodium nitrite toxicity presented a moderate hazard to European starlings; thus, the future development of SN as an avian toxicant is dependent upon its cost-effectiveness. We discuss the management of toxic effects and non-target hazards of SN for wild birds, including best practices for toxic baiting of vertebrate pests and management of invasive wild pigs.