You are here:
Effects of the neonicotinoid acetamiprid in syrup on Bombus impatiens (Hymenoptera: Apidae) microcolony development
Citation:
Camp, A., W. Williams, B. Eitzer, R. Koethe, AND D. Lehmann. Effects of the neonicotinoid acetamiprid in syrup on Bombus impatiens (Hymenoptera: Apidae) microcolony development. PLOS ONE . Public Library of Science, San Francisco, CA, 15(10):e0241111, (2020). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0241111
Impact/Purpose:
In recent decades, neonicotinoid pesticide use has dramatically increased, as have concerns regarding the safety of these chemicals for pollinator health. Here we assessed the toxicity of the neonicotinoid acetamiprid to the bumble bee Bombus impatiens. We examined effects on nest growth, development and productivity of bumble bee microcolonies fed acetamiprid. Acetamiprid delivered in syrup can negatively impact B. impatiens nest development and productivity, however only at concentrations above which would be expected in the environment when used according to label rates.
Description:
Worldwide, many pollinator populations are in decline. Population reductions have been documented for the agriculturally important honey bee (Apis mellifera), and other bee species such as bumble bees that are also critical for pollinating crops and natural landscapes. A variety of factors contribute to the observed population reductions, including exposure to agrochemicals. In recent decades, neonicotinoid pesticide use has dramatically increased, as have concerns regarding the safety of these chemicals for pollinator health. Here we assessed the toxicity of the neonicotinoid acetamiprid to the bumble bee Bombus impatiens, a species commercially available for use in agricultural settings in North America. Using the microcolony model, we examined nest growth, development and subsequent nest productivity as measured by drone production. We found that high concentrations of acetamiprid in syrup (11,300 µg/L) significantly impacted nest growth and development, and ultimately drone production, and exposure to 1,130 µg/L acetamiprid also significantly decreased drone production. The no observable adverse effect level was 113 µg/L. Overall, acetamiprid delivered in syrup can negatively impact B. impatiens nest development and productivity, however only at concentrations above which would be expected in the environment when used according to label rates.
URLs/Downloads:
DOI: Effects of the neonicotinoid acetamiprid in syrup on Bombus impatiens (Hymenoptera: Apidae) microcolony development