Abstract
Medicago sativa L. (Leguminosae) sprayed withO,O-dimethylS-(N-methylcarbamoylmethyl) phosphorodithioate (dimethoate) had only 0.5 ppm of dimethoate in pollen one day later, but 3 ppm in nectar one week later, and 1 ppm in nectar two weeks later. As little as 1 ppm added to syrup fed to caged workers ofApis mellifera L. (Apidae) inhibited cholinesterase and reduced survival. Bees given a choice between treated and untreated syrups showed no preference; this suggests that the levels of dimethoate found in nectar are toxic and not repellent.
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Barker, R.J., Lehner, Y. & Kunzmann, M.R. Pesticides and honey bees: Nectar and pollen contamination in alfalfa treated with dimethoate. Arch. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 9, 125–133 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055368
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01055368