Rates of fungicide application are projected to rise dramatically over the next several years. There is limited information on the physiological and biochemical effects of these compounds on pollinators. We conducted cage and colony studies with worker honey bees to determine the effects of fungicides that are respiratory inhibitors. Bees fed pollen or sugar syrup with fungicide (treatment bees) had lower ATP concentrations than control bees (no fungicide). Treatment bees consumed less pollen as they aged, and had lower pollen digestion rates. Hemolymph protein titers in 7 day old treatment bees were lower than controls in the cage study. The fungicide also might have affected innate immunity. Deformed wing virus titers were higher in treatment bees than in controls. The study indicates that the effects of the fungicides could reduce worker longevity thus weakening colonies, and making them more vulnerable to loss from parasites or overwintering.

Effects of boscalid and pyraclostrobin on ATP concentrations, protein digestion, and virus titers in honey bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.)

248th National Meeting (2014)

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Effects of boscalid and pyraclostrobin on ATP concentrations, protein digestion, and virus titers in honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)