Laboratory toxicology of six forestry insecticides to four species of bee (hymenoptera: Apoidea)

  • B. V. Helson
  • K. N. Barber
  • P. D. Kingsbury
Article
Received:
Revised:

Abstract

Laboratory dose-response studies were conducted with four species of adult bees, Apis mellifera (workers), Andrena erythronii (females), Megachile rotundata (females), and Bombus terricola (workers), using six insecticides, permethrin, mexacarbate, aminocarb, fenitrothion, carbaryl, and trichlorfon. All insecticides were applied topically to the thorax of the bees as technical grade in an acetone carrier. Mortality was accumulated over 48 h, and probit analyses were conducted separately on data sets expressed in units of μgAI (active ingredient)/g body weight and of μgAI/bee. LD50 values with 95% confidence limits and slopes with standard errors are provided for each bee/insecticide combination in each data set. Relative toxicities, relative susceptibilities, and fresh body weights are also provided. The analysis in units of μgAI/g body weight indicated that the insecticides were typically ranked in order of decreasing toxicity—permethrin, mexacarbate, aminocarb, fenitrothion, carbaryl, and trichlorfon. Likewise, the bees ranked from the most to least susceptible in the order of A. mellifera, A. erythronii, M. rotundata and B. terricola. Trends within the data set for units of μgAI/bee were less consistent. These data are discussed and compared with other published data on the toxicology of insecticides to bees and from the perspective of risk assessment.

Keywords

Toxicity Risk Assessment Active Ingredient Toxicology Carbaryl 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access.

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Abbott WS (1925) A method of computing the effectiveness of an insecticide. J Econ Entomol 18:265–267Google Scholar
  2. Abdelwahab AM, Khalil FM, Hussein MH (1973) Toxicity of insecticides to honey bees in laboratory and field. Bull Entomol Soc Egypt Econ Ser 7:83–89Google Scholar
  3. Ahmad Z, Johansen C (1973) Selective toxicity of carbophenothion and trichlorfon to the honey bee and the alfalfa leafcutting bee. Environ Entomol 2:27–30Google Scholar
  4. Anderson LD, Atkins EL Jr (1968) Pesticide usage in relation to beekeeping. Ann Rev Entomol 13:213–238Google Scholar
  5. Atkins EL Jr, Anderson LD (1954) Toxicity of pesticide dusts to honeybees. J Econ Entomol 47:969–972Google Scholar
  6. Atkins EL Jr, Anderson LD, Kellum D, Neuman KW (1977) Protecting honey bees from pesticides. Leaflet 2883. Division of Agricultural Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CAGoogle Scholar
  7. Atkins EL Jr, Anderson LD, Tuft TO (1954) Equipment and technique used in laboratory evaluation of pesticide dusts in toxicological studies with honeybees. J Econ Entomol 47:965–969Google Scholar
  8. Atkins EL Jr, Greywood EA, Macdonald RL (1975) Toxicity of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals to honey bees. Laboratory studies. Leaflet 2287. Division of Agricultural Sciences, University of California, Riverside, CAGoogle Scholar
  9. Barker RJ (1970) Cholinesterase reactivators tested as antidotes for use on poisoned honey bees. J Econ Entomol 63:1831–1834PubMedGoogle Scholar
  10. Beran F (1958) Anwendung von Pflanzenschutzmitteln und Bienenschutz. Anzeiger Schädlingskunde 31:97–101Google Scholar
  11. Bickle A (1968) S103 Probit Single Line and Parallel Line Analysis. A computer program written by Statistical Research Section, Engineering and Statistical Research Institute, Research Branch, Agriculture Canada, Ottawa, ONGoogle Scholar
  12. Danka RG, Rinderer TE, Hellmich RL II, Collins AM (1986) Comparative toxicities of four topically applied insecticides to africanized and european honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae). J Econ Entomol 79:18–21Google Scholar
  13. Dixon WJ (ed) (1983) BMDP statistical software. University of California Press, Berkeley, CAGoogle Scholar
  14. Felton JC, Oomen PA, Stevenson JH (1986) Toxicity and hazard of pesticides to honey bees: Harmonization of test methods. Bee World 67:114–124PubMedGoogle Scholar
  15. Finney DJ (1962) Probit analysis, 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UKGoogle Scholar
  16. Georghiou GP, Metcalf RL (1962) Carbamate insecticides: Comparative insect toxicity of Sevin, Zectran, and other new materials. J Econ Entomol 55:125–127Google Scholar
  17. Georghiou GP, Atkins EL Jr (1964) Temperature coefficient of toxicity of certain n-methylcarbamates against honeybees, and the effect of the synergist piperonyl butoxide. J Apic Res 3:31–35Google Scholar
  18. Graves JB, Mackensen O (1965) Topical application and insecticide resistance studies on the honey bee. J Econ Entomol 58:990–993Google Scholar
  19. Hansen RW, Osgood EA (1984) Effects of a split application of Sevin-4-oil® on pollinators and fruit-set in a spruce-fir forest. Can Ent 116:457–464Google Scholar
  20. Johansen CA (1972) Toxicity of field-weathered insecticide residues to four kinds of bees. Environ Entomol 1:393–394Google Scholar
  21. — (1977) Pesticides and pollinators. Ann Rev Entomol 22:177–192Google Scholar
  22. Johansen C, Jaycox ER, Hutt R (1963) The effects of pesticides on the alfalfa leafcutting bee, Megachile rotundata. Circular 418. Washington Agricultural Experiment Stations, Washington State University, Pullman, WAGoogle Scholar
  23. Johansen CA, Mayer DF, Eves JD, Kious CW (1983) Pesticides and bees. Environ Entomol 12:1513–1518Google Scholar
  24. Johnstone DR, Cooper JF, Dobson HM, Turner CR (1989) The collection of aerosol droplets by resting tsetse flies, Glossina morsitans Westwood (Diptera: Glossinidae). Bull Entomol Res 79:613–624Google Scholar
  25. Kevan PG (1975) Forest application of the insecticide fenitrothion and its effects on the wild bee pollinators (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) of lowbush blueberries (Vaccinium spp.) in southern New Brunswick, Canada. Biol Conserv 7:301–309Google Scholar
  26. — (1977) Blueberry crops in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Pesticides and crop reductions. Can J Agric Econ 25:61–64Google Scholar
  27. Kevan PG, Baker HG (1983) Insects as flower visitors and pollinators. Ann Rev Entomol 28:407–453Google Scholar
  28. Kevan PG, LaBerge WE (1979) Demise and recovery of native pollinator populations through pesticide use and some economic implications. In: Caron DM (ed) Proceedings of the 4th international symposium on pollination. Special Miscellaneous Publication 1. Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, pp 489–508Google Scholar
  29. Kevan PG, Oppermann EB (1980) Blueberry production in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Maine. A reply to Wood et al. Can J Agric Econ 28:81–84Google Scholar
  30. Kevan PG, Plowright RC (1989) Fenitrothion and insect pollinators. In: Ernst WR, Pearce PA, Pollock TL (eds) Environmental effects of fenitrothion use in forestry. Impacts on insect pollinators, song-birds and aquatic organisms. Environment Canada, Conservation and Protection, Atlantic Region, Dartmouth, NS, pp 13–42Google Scholar
  31. Kuhr RJ, Dorough HW (1976) Carbamate insecticides: Chemistry, biochemistry, and toxicology, CRC Press, Cleveland, OHGoogle Scholar
  32. Miliczky ER, Osgood EA (1979) The effects of spraying with Sevin-4-oil® on insect pollinators and pollination in a spruce-fir forest. Technical Bulletin #90. Life Sciences and Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Maine, Orono, MEGoogle Scholar
  33. National Research Council of Canada (1981) Pesticide-pollinator interactions. NRCC No. 18471. Associate Committee on Scientific Criteria for Environmental Quality, Ottawa, ONGoogle Scholar
  34. — (1986) Pyrethroids: Their effects on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. NRCC No. 24376. Associate Committee on Scientific Criteria for Environmental Quality, Ottawa, ONGoogle Scholar
  35. Pike KS, Mayer DF, Glazer M, Kious C (1982) Effects of permethrin on mortality and foraging behavior of honey bees in sweet corn. Environ Entomol 11:951–953Google Scholar
  36. Plowright RC, Rodd FH (1980) The effect of spruce budworm control operations on Hymenoptera in New Brunswick. Can Ent 112:259–270Google Scholar
  37. Plowright RC, Thaler GR (1979) The effects of biocides on forest pollination in New Brunswick. In: Caron DM (ed) Proceedings of the 4th international symposium on pollination. Special Miscellaneous Publication 1. Maryland Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, pp 483–487Google Scholar
  38. Plowright RC, Thomson JD, Thaler GR (1980) Pollen removal in Cypripedium acaule (Orchidaceae) in relation to aerial fenitrothion spraying in New Brunswick. Can Ent 112:765–769Google Scholar
  39. Plowright RC, Pendrel BA, McLaren IA (1978) The impact of aerial fenitrothion spraying upon the population biology of bumble bees (Bombus Latr.: Hym.) in southwestern New Brunswick. Can Ent 110:1145–1156Google Scholar
  40. Robertson JL, Preisler HK (1991) Pesticide bioassays with arthropods. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FLGoogle Scholar
  41. Russell RM, Robertson JL, Savin NE (1977) POLO: A new computer program for probit analysis. Bull Entomol Soc Am 23:209–213Google Scholar
  42. Stevenson JH, Needham PH, Walker J (1978) Poisoning of honeybees by pesticides: investigations of the changing pattern in Britain over 20 years. Rothamsted Report for 1977. Rothamsted Experimental Station, Harpenden, UK, Part 2, pp 55–72Google Scholar
  43. Tahori AS, Sobel Z, Soller M (1969) Variability in insecticide tolerance of eighteen honey-bee colonies. Entomol Exp Appl 12:85–98Google Scholar
  44. Thaler GR, Plowright RC (1980) The effect of aerial insecticide spraying for spruce budworm control on the fecundity of entomophilous plants in New Brunswick. Can J Bot 50:2022–2027Google Scholar
  45. Thomson JD, Plowright RC, Thaler GR (1985) Matacil insecticide spraying, pollinator mortality, and plant fecundity in New Brunswick forests. Can J Bot 63:2056–2061Google Scholar
  46. Thorpe EJ (1980) Some aspects of the effect of forest spraying on solitary bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) populations in New Brunswick. Unpublished M.Sc. thesis, Faculty of Forestry, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New BrunswickGoogle Scholar
  47. Torchio PF (1973) Relative toxicity of insecticides to the honey bee, alkali bee, and alfalfa leafcutting bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Halictidae, Megachilidae). J Kans Entomol Soc 46:446–453Google Scholar
  48. Tucker KW (1980) Tolerance to carbaryl in honey bees increased by selection. Am Bee J 120:36,37,39–41,46Google Scholar
  49. Wiles J, Jepson PC, Salt DW, Ford MG (1991) Evaluating the hazard of pesticides to target and non-target terrestrial invertebrates. [An extended summary of a presentation made at the 7th International Congress of Pesticide Chemistry (IUPAC), 5–10 August 1990, Hamburg, FDR]. Pest Sci 31:98–99Google Scholar
  50. Wood GW (1979) Recuperation of native bee populations in blueberry fields exposed to drift of fenitrothion from forest spray operations in New Brunswick. J Econ Entomol 72:36–39Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag New York Inc 1994

Authors and Affiliations

  • B. V. Helson
    • 1
  • K. N. Barber
    • 1
  • P. D. Kingsbury
    • 1
  1. 1.Forest Pest Management InstituteSault Ste. MarieCanada

Personalised recommendations