RFID tracking of sublethal effects of two neonicotinoid insecticides on the foraging behavior of Apis mellifera.

ABSTRACT: The development of insecticides requires valid risk assessment procedures to avoid causing harm to beneficial insects and especially to pollinators such as the honeybee Apis mellifera. In addition to testing according to current guidelines designed to detect bee mortality, tests are needed to determine possible sublethal effects interfering with the animal's vitality and behavioral performance. Several methods have been used to detect sublethal effects of different insecticides under laboratory conditions using olfactory conditioning. Furthermore, studies have been conducted on the influence insecticides have on foraging activity and homing ability which require time-consuming visual observation. We tested an experimental design using the radiofrequency identification (RFID) method to moni

SUBMITTER: Schneider CW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3256199 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature