Insights from experiments on interactions between sulfoxaflor and a parasite in bumble bees
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We conducted a range of laboratory experiments on individual bumble bees where we exposed them to one of three agrochemicals (sulfoxaflor, an insecticide; azoxystrobin, a fungicide; glyphosate, a herbicide) and/or Crithidia bombi (a common bumble bee gut parasite). We assessed impacts on survival, food consumption, parasite load and learning. We conclude that, under the experimental conditions we used, there are no meaningful interactions between these agrochemicals and the common bumble bee parasite. This suggests that current laboratory-based aspects of risk assessment of these agrochemicals does not require integration of parasitism as an additional stressor. However, we note that other conditions, and other, more virulent parasites, may still be a source of interactive impacts on bee health.
We also exposed ~6-8 week old bumble bee colonies to sulfoxaflor and/or the parasite Crithidia bombi and examined impacts on colony development and pollination services. The results suggest that field realistic exposure of bumble bee colonies 6-8 weeks post-founding to sulfoxaflor, and/or the parasite, is not harmful to their development, nor does it impact pollination services. This develops our understanding of the safe use of sulfoxaflor. While sulfoxaflor has now been banned for outside use in the EU, our research does not suggest further changes to its registration in or outside the EU are currently justified. However, further studies of interactions with other pathogens are needed before general statements can be made.
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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