Practical Aspects Of Semi-Field Bee Studies
We carried out semi-field studies on honey bees, bumble bees and solitary bees to study the impacts of pairs of stressors (pesticide + pesticide; pesticide + nutritional deficit). Key points for researchers of similar studies include:
1. The supply of food (nectar and pollen) in enclosures must match or exceed demand. We suggest (a) an enclosure of 72m2 for a honey bee colony of 3,000 adults; (b) an enclosure of 54m2 for a bumble bee colony; and (c) an enclosure of 36m2 for 100 laying female Osmia species.
2. The crop (preferably Phacelia tanacetifolia sown at 5kg/ha) should be grown so that bloom coincides with the desired start of the study (approximately 55 days after sowing). The seed bed should be thoroughly prepared by mechanical means, without herbicides. Synchronising bloom of different species is challenging.
3. Timing of application of pesticides must be in accordance with the product label. Where products have to be applied before bloom, prediction of the correct date is difficult; regular and thorough monitoring of the plants is essential.
4. Honey bee colonies should be in small hives (Mini Plus Beuten), with specially manufactured components for research. These include study frames for photographing brood; converter hives for creating uniform study colonies; combined pollen traps, Varroa traps and dead bee traps, etc.
5. Bumble bee colonies should be small at the start of the study.
6. Osmia emergence must be controlled carefully.
7. There are many opportunities to use novel technologies in these studies.
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