<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> In this paper we assessed, under laboratory conditions, the toxicity of an active substance on solitary bee larvae of Osmia cornuta (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). A field-realistic dose of the systemic insecticide spirotetramat was applied to the mass provisions. The insecticide’s effects on several life-cycle parameters were studied in males and females. Our results showed a significantly shorter post-emergence longevity in bees exposed to spirotetramat during the larval stage, compared to the control. The observed reduction in longevity was 18 and 15%, respectively, in males and females. Mortality rate and other biological traits (larval and spinning duration, emergence time, food/body conversion rate) did not show significant differences between the two treatments. The method described in this study can be used to test the effects of toxic substances (i.e. agrochemicals) on bees. Moreover, it can constitute a basis for the development of a standardised protocol in the first tier of the Environmental Risk Assessment for solitary bees.</p></abstract>

In this paper we assessed, under laboratory conditions, the toxicity of an active substance on solitary bee larvae of Osmia cornuta (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae). A field-realistic dose of the systemic insecticide spirotetramat was applied to the mass provisions. The insecticide’s effects on several life-cycle parameters were studied in males and females. Our results showed a significantly shorter post-emergence longevity in bees exposed to spirotetramat during the larval stage, compared to the control. The observed reduction in longevity was 18 and 15%, respectively, in males and females. Mortality rate and other biological traits (larval and spinning duration, emergence time, food/body conversion rate) did not show significant differences between the two treatments. The method described in this study can be used to test the effects of toxic substances (i.e. agrochemicals) on bees. Moreover, it can constitute a basis for the development of a standardised protocol in the first tier of the Environmental Risk Assessment for solitary bees.

Toxicity of Spirotetramat on Solitary Bee Larvae, Osmia Cornuta (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), in Laboratory Conditions

Department of Agricultural Science, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, viale Fanin 42, 40127 Bologna, Italy

Agricultural Research Council, Honey Bee and Silkworm Research Unit, via di Saliceto 80, 40128 Bologna, Italy

Journal of Apicultural Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

In this paper we assessed, under laboratory conditions, the toxicity of an active substance on solitary bee larvae of Osmia cornuta (Hymenoptera:...

Toxicity of Spirotetramat on Solitary Bee Larvae, Osmia Cornuta (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), in Laboratory Conditions

Published Online: Dec 09, 2015

Page range: 73 - 83

Received: Mar 06, 2015

Accepted: Oct 07, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jas-2015-0024

Keywords
bee, ecotoxicology, insecticide, pesticide, toxicity test

© by Fabio Sgolastra

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Toxicity of Spirotetramat on Solitary Bee Larvae, Osmia Cornuta (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), in Laboratory Conditions

Published Online: Dec 09, 2015

Page range: 73 - 83

Received: Mar 06, 2015

Accepted: Oct 07, 2015

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/jas-2015-0024

Keywordsbee, ecotoxicology, insecticide, pesticide, toxicity test

© by Fabio Sgolastra

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Keywords
bee, ecotoxicology, insecticide, pesticide, toxicity test