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The neonicotinoid insecticide thiacloprid impacts upon bumblebee colony development under field conditions.pdf (693.46 kB)

The neonicotinoid insecticide thiacloprid impacts upon bumblebee colony development under field conditions

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posted on 2023-06-09, 04:51 authored by Ciaran ellis, Kirsty J Park, Penelope Whitehorn, Arthur David, Dave GoulsonDave Goulson
The impacts of pesticides, and in particular of neonicotinoids, on bee health remain much debated. Many studies describing negative effects have been criticised as the experimental protocol did not perfectly simulate real-life field scenarios. Here, we placed free-flying bumblebee colonies next to raspberry crops that were either untreated or treated with the neonicotinoid thiacloprid as part of normal farming practice. Colonies were exposed to the raspberry crops for a two week period before being relocated to either a flower-rich or flower-poor site. Overall, exposed colonies were more likely to die prematurely, and those that survived reached a lower final weight and produced 46% fewer reproductives than colonies placed at control farms. The impact was more marked at the flower-rich site (all colonies performed poorly at the flower poor site). Analysis of nectar and pollen stores from bumblebee colonies placed at the same raspberry farms revealed thiacloprid residues of up to 771ppb in pollen and up to 561ppb in nectar. The image of thiacloprid as a relatively benign neonicotinoid should now be questioned.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Environmental Science and Technology

ISSN

0013-936X

Publisher

American Chemical Society

Issue

3

Volume

51

Page range

1727-1732

Department affiliated with

  • Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2017-01-20

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-01-13

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2017-01-20

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