Sulfoxaflor can benefit Varroa destructor and might interact with a commonly used acaricide
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Beekeepers are confronted with unsustainable high losses of managed Western honey bee, Apis mellifera, colonies. There is consensus that such losses are closely associated with ectoparasitic mites, Varroa destructor, which are potent vectors of several viruses. However, these mites may also interact with other stressors, e.g. acaricides (e.g., coumaphos) or widely used neonicotinoid-like insecticides (e.g., sulfoxaflor). However, the interface between mites and these chemicals is poorly understood. Here, we show that field-realistic concentrations of sulfoxaflor can increase the reproduction of V. destructor. Furthermore, in combination with coumaphos, sulfoxaflor can also cause higher mortality in bee larvae. Our data support that neonicotinoid (-like) insecticides can not only have negative consequences for bees, but also seem to have positive effects on mites.
Implementations/recommendations: The positive correlation between sulfoxaflor and mite reproduction is concerning and should be considered when assessing the risk of agrochemicals to bees. The combined effects of sulfoxaflor and coumaphos are not fully understood and require further research. However, our data suggest that such possible interactions have to be integrated in the risk assessment process. Beekeepers should consider the possible negative side effects of their interventions and keep in mind that acaricides might also have undesired side effects on bees either alone and/or in combination with other agrochemicals.
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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