Exposure to sublethal concentrations of methoxyfenozide disrupts honey bee colony activity and thermoregulation.

ABSTRACT: Methoxyfenozide is an insect growth regulator (IGR) commonly used in agriculture to simultaneously control pests and preserve beneficial insect populations; however, its impact on honey bees in not fully understood. We conducted field and laboratory experiments to investigate bee health in response to field-relevant concentrations of this pesticide. Significant effects were observed in honey bee colony flight activity and thermoregulation after being exposed over 9 weeks to supplemental protein patty containing methoxyfenozide. Compared to bee colonies in the control group, colonies fed pollen patty with 200 ppb methoxyfenozide (as measured by residue analysis) had: 1) a significantly reduced rate of weight loss due to forager departure in the morning; and 2) higher temperature variability

SUBMITTER: Meikle WG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6438536 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature