Honeybee dietary neonicotinoid exposure is associated with pollen collection from agricultural weeds.

ABSTRACT: Neonicotinoid insecticides have been linked to bee declines. However, tracking the primary exposure route for bees in the field has proven to be a major logistical challenge, impeding efforts to restore pollinator health in agricultural landscapes. We quantified neonicotinoid concentrations and botanical species composition in 357 pollen samples collected from 114 commercial honeybee colonies placed along a gradient of agricultural intensity between June and September. Neonicotinoid concentrations increased through the season, peaking at the end of August. As a result, concentrations in pollen were negatively associated with collection from woody and crop plants that flower early-mid season, and positively associated with collection from herbaceous plants that flower mid-late season. Highe

SUBMITTER: Wood TJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6599974 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature