Effect of real-world clothianidin exposure on bees and their diseases
In this study we used 16 commercial oilseed rape fields across southern Sweden to investigate the effect of real-world clothianidin exposure on bees. Half of the fields were sown with clothianidin-treated oilseed rape seed and half with clothianidin-free seed. Honeybee and bumblebee colonies as well as mason bee cocoons and nests were placed at each field and monitored during the growing season, with the honeybee colonies also monitored the following year through a second season of clothianidin exposure in oilseed rape. Chemical analysis of the nectar and pollen collected by the bees showed large differences in clothianidin exposure between treated and untreated fields, and between the two seasons. Honeybee colony growth and development was not affected by clothianidin exposure, but both bumblebees and mason bees produced far fewer offspring at treated fields than at untreated fields. Follow-up analyses showed that clothianidin exposure had no effect on pathogen levels in either honeybees or bumblebees, nor on immune genes in honeybees. The conclusion is that honeybee colonies are relatively robust to neonicotinoid exposure in agricultural landscapes, but that bumblebees and solitary bees are strongly affected.
For farmers:
If wild pollinators and their pollination are important for you or your neighbours, consider adjusting your plant protection strategy to reduce pesticide use, particularly in flowering crops and during bloom. For honeybees this would also be beneficial, but less critical.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlgxa7lOjdQ
www.nature.com/articles/nature14420
www.nature.com/articles/s41467-018-07914-3
www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-08523-4
PoshBee: Pan-european assessment, monitoring, and mitigation Of Stressors on the Health of BEEs
Ongoing | 2018-2023
- Main funding source
- Horizon 2020 (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- United Kingdom