The Environmental Protection Agency announced last week that neonicotinoids, a neuro-active component of the most widely used pesticides in the world, are a threat to pollinators.

Kelly Reyna, University of North Texas assistant professor of biology and executive director of UNT Quail, is available to discuss neonicotinoids and research he has conducted to find out how neonicotinoids affect quail populations.

Reyna can be reached at Kelly.Reyna@unt.edu or at 940-565-4287.

Reyna investigated how neonicotinoids affect quail that may eat coated seeds and how quail are affected by developing in areas that have been sprayed with pesticides.

"What we found is that if quail survive living in these areas or eating coated seeds, they have enlarged hearts, small lungs and other developmental issues," Reyna said. "In lab tests, we also saw cases of abnormal legs and beaks, and even cyclopia."