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Sub-lethal effects of thiamethoxam, a neonicotinoid pesticide, and propiconazole, a DMI fungicide, on colony initiation in bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) micro-colonies

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Abstract

This study investigated whether field-realistic exposure to a neonicotinoid insecticide and a fungicide affected nest building or brood production in queenless Bombus terrestris micro-colonies in the laboratory. Bees were exposed to honey water and pollen paste containing field-realistic mean or field-maximum exposure rates of thiamethoxam (1, 10 μg/kg) or propiconazole (23, 230 mg/kg) for 28 days. Thiamethoxam: Both doses reduced consumption of honey water solution and resulted in fewer wax cells. At 10 μg/kg, nest building initiation was delayed, fewer eggs were laid and no larvae produced. Propiconazole: Both doses reduced consumption of honey water solution. At 23 mg/kg, fewer wax cells were produced. Thus, at realistic (mean) exposure rates of these pesticides, no adverse impacts on brood production were found. Pesticide-free alternative forage will reduce field exposure by dilution and thus the impact of maximum rates.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Dr Tilly Collins for statistical advice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Ecology and Evolution, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berks, SL5 7PY, UK

    Charlotte Elston & Keith F. A. Walters

  2. Fera, Sand Hutton,, York,, YO41 1LZ, UK

    Helen M. Thompson

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  1. Charlotte Elston
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  2. Helen M. Thompson
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Correspondence to Keith F. A. Walters.

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Manuscript editor: Monique Gauthier

Effets sublétaux du thiamethoxam, pesticide néonicotinoïde, et du propiconazole, fongicide inhibiteur de la déméthylation, sur la construction de nids dans des micro-colonies de bourdons (Bombus terrestris)

Bombus terrestris / pesticide / consommation de nectar / construction du nid / couvain

Subletale Effekte von Thiametoxam, einem Neonikotinoid, und Propiconazol, ein DMI-Fungizid, auf die Koloniegründung bei Hummel-Minivölkern (Bombus terrestris)

Bombus terrestris / Thiamethoxam / Propiconazol / Nektarverbrauch / Nestbau

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Elston, C., Thompson, H.M. & Walters, K.F.A. Sub-lethal effects of thiamethoxam, a neonicotinoid pesticide, and propiconazole, a DMI fungicide, on colony initiation in bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) micro-colonies. Apidologie 44, 563–574 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-013-0206-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-013-0206-9

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