Neonicotinoid-contaminated puddles of water represent a risk of intoxication for honey bees.

ABSTRACT: In recent years, populations of honey bees and other pollinators have been reported to be in decline worldwide. A number of stressors have been identified as potential contributing factors, including the extensive prophylactic use of neonicotinoid insecticides, which are highly toxic to bees, in agriculture. While multiple routes of exposure to these systemic insecticides have been documented for honey bees, contamination from puddle water has not been investigated. In this study, we used a multi-residue method based on LC-MS/MS to analyze samples of puddle water taken in the field during the planting of treated corn and one month later. If honey bees were to collect and drink water from these puddles, our results showed that they would be exposed to various agricultural pesticides. All wa

SUBMITTER: Samson-Robert O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4249843 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature