Save the bee species from extinction.
Assessment of the Environmental Exposure of Honeybees to Particulate Matter Containing Neonicotinoid Insecticides Coming from Corn Coated Seeds
† Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche, Università degli Studi di Padova, via Marzolo 1, 35131, Padova, Italy
‡ Dipartimento di Agronomia Animali Alimenti Risorse Naturali e Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Padova, Agripolis, viale dell’Università 16, 35020 Legnaro, Padova, Italy
Environ. Sci. Technol., 2012, 46 (5), pp 2592–2599
DOI: 10.1021/es2035152
Publication Date (Web): January 31, 2012
Copyright © 2012 American Chemical Society
*E-mail: andrea.tapparo@unipd.it.
Section:Abstract
Since seed coating with neonicotinoid insecticides was introduced in the late 1990s, European beekeepers have reported severe colony losses in the period of corn sowing (spring). As a consequence, seed-coating neonicotinoid insecticides that are used worldwide on corn crops have been blamed for honeybee decline. In view of the currently increasing crop production, and also of corn as a renewable energy source, the correct use of these insecticides within sustainable agriculture is a cause of concern. In this paper, a probable—but so far underestimated—route of environmental exposure of honeybees to and intoxication with neonicotinoid insecticides, namely, the atmospheric emission of particulate matter containing the insecticide by drilling machines, has been quantitatively studied. Using optimized analytical procedures, quantitative measurements of both the emitted particulate and the consequent direct contamination of single bees approaching the drilling machine during the foraging activity have been determined. Experimental results show that the environmental release of particles containing neonicotinoids can produce high exposure levels for bees, with lethal effects compatible with colony losses phenomena observed by beekeepers.
Another Report on Bee Colony Extiction
Another Report on Bee Colony Extiction
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