Table 5 Behavioral observations closest to individual adult female (AF: n = 21) and fawn (n = 38) deaths (time ranged from 1 week to 2 months) were compared to their spleen imidacloprid concentrations.

From: Effects of Neonicotinoid Insecticides on Physiology and Reproductive Characteristics of Captive Female and Fawn White-tailed Deer

A.F./Fawn

Group

Eat

Lay

Lay/Curl

Lay/Slp

Lay/Grm

Lay/Rum

Sta/Rum

Run

Stand

Sta/Grm

Sta/Nur

Walk

AF

High

2%*

27%*

N/A

N/A

7%*

4%

1%*

1%*

25%

8%*

1%

24%

AF

Moderate

10%*

4%*

N/A

N/A

3%

2%*

1%*

1%*

34%*

13%*

0%*

32%

AF

Low

6%

19%

N/A

N/A

3%

5%

2%

5%

23%

5%

2%

30%

Fawn

High

7%

43%^

8%

2%

7%

7%

N/A

0%^

16%^

2%^

N/A

9%^

Fawn

Moderate

12%^

20%

1%^

1%

15%^

5%

N/A

3%

21%

5%

N/A

17%

Fawn

Low

8%

24%

6%

2%

8%

5%

N/A

4%

22%

6%

N/A

15%

  1. Not all fawns had observations collected as: 1) fawn observations were only collected in 2016 and 2) some fawns died prior to an observation being completed. Behavioral observations are separated into three groups (low, moderate, high) according to spleen organ concentrations (with the high group having the greatest imidacloprid levels and the low group having the lowest). Behavioral observations eat, lay, lay/groom (lay/grm), lay/ruminate (lay/rum), stand/ruminate (sta/rum), run, stand, stand/groom (sta/grm), stand/nurse (sta/nur), and walk (additionally for fawns the behaviors Lay/Curl and Lay/Slp (lay/sleep)) percentages were compared between spleen organ imidacloprid concentrations.
  2. *Percentages that are significantly (90%CI) different than the low group percentages in the spleen for adult females.
  3. ^Percentages that are significantly (90%CI) different than the low group percentages in the spleen for fawns.
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