Compatibility of traditional and novel acaricides with bumblebees (Bombus terrestris): a first laboratory assessment of toxicity and sublethal effects

BACKGROUND: This project assessed the potential hazards of different classical and novel acaricides against an important non‐target and beneficial insect for the pollination of wild flowers and cultivated crops, the bumblebee Bombus terrestris (L). Twenty‐three acaricides used commercially in the control of phytophagous mites (Acari) were tested in greenhouses and/or the open field. Side effects included acute mortality and also sublethal effects on nest reproduction. The different compounds were administered in the laboratory via three different worst‐case field scenario routes of exposure: dermal contact and orally via the drinking of treated sugar water and via treated pollen. The compounds were tested at their respective maximum field recommended concentration (MFRC), and, when strong lethal effects were observed, a dose–response assay with a dilution series of the MFRC was undertaken to calculate LC₅₀ values. RESULTS: From the different acaricide classes, several chemistries caused high levels of acute toxicity in bumblebee workers, especially bifenthrin and abamectin which resulted in 100% mortality by contact. In addition, several acaricides tested were found to have a detrimental effect on drone production. For oral exposures via treated sugar water, the dose–response assay showed the LC₅₀ values for abamectin, bifenazate, bifenthrin and etoxazole to be 1/15 MFRC (1.17 mg AI L^?1), 1/10 MFRC (9.6 mg AI L^?1), 1/83 MFRC (0.36 mg AI L^?1) and 1/13 MFRC (4.4 mg AI L^?1) respectively, indicating that their use should be carefully evaluated. CONCLUSION: Overall, the results suggest that most of the acaricides tested are compatible with bumblebees, with the exceptions of abamectin, bifenazate, bifenthrin and etoxazole. However, the risks also depended on the type of treatment. As a result, the sugar water treatment seems to present the worst‐case situation of exposure, indicating that this approach is suitable for determining the hazards of pesticides against bumblebees. Finally, it is suggested that future tier testing under more field‐related conditions is required for a final decision of their risks. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Impact of Bacillus thuringiensis strains on survival,reproduction and foraging behaviour in bumblebees (Bombus terrestris)

BACKGROUND: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and its protein crystals are used worldwide, either as a spray or when expressed in transgenic crops, for the control of pest insects. However, owing to their intensive use, there exists a debate regarding the involvement of this microbial insecticide in bee colony losses. In this study, in a tiered approach using laboratory microcolonies, an evaluation was made of the potential lethal and sublethal hazards on colony reproduction and foraging behaviour of workers of the bumblebee Bombus terrestris (L.) of two commercial Bt strains: kurstaki (Dipel^®) and aizawai (Xentari^®). Bumblebees, like honey bees, are intensively used in modern agriculture for pollination and fulfil a crucial role in the natural ecosystem. RESULTS: Exposure of bumblebees dermally or via treated pollen to either of the two Bt formulations at their field recommended rates (0.1%) caused no reduction in survival. However, when applied in the feeding sugar water, aizawai killed all workers at a concentration of 0.1%, but this lethal effect was lost at 0.01%. With respect to reproductive effects, kurstaki was harmless, while aizawai at 0.1% delivered in the feeding sugar water and pollen reduced reproduction by 100 and 31% respectively. Lower doses of 0.01% aizawai in the sugar water showed no more effect. In addition, kurstaki at 0.1% and aizawai at 0.01% in the feeding sugar water did not impair the foraging behaviour, resulting in normal nest colony performance. CONCLUSION: The results with kurstaki and aizawai demonstrated that, in general, the Bt strains are safe to B. terrestris bumblebees, although in some cases there were detrimental effects that depended on strain and route of exposure. In addition, the authors believe that to draw firm conclusions regarding the hazards of Bt to bumblebees would require more information on relevant concentrations of Bt products in the environment. Hence, routine testing for lethal and sublethal effects is recommended to ascertain combined use of Bt products and bumblebees in modern agriculture. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of reduced risk pesticides for use in greenhouse vegetable production on Bombus impatiens (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

BACKGROUND: Bumble bees [Bombus impatiens (Cresson)] are widely used for supplemental pollination of greenhouse vegetables and are at risk of pesticide exposure while foraging. The objective of this study was to determine the lethal and sub‐lethal effects of four insecticides (imidacloprid, abamectin, metaflumizone and chlorantraniliprole) and three fungicides (myclobutanil, potassium bicarbonate and cyprodinil + fludioxonil) used or with potential for use in Ontario greenhouse vegetable production to B. impatiens. RESULTS: Imidacloprid, abamectin, and metaflumizone were harmful to worker bees following direct contact, while chlorantraniliprole and all fungicides tested were harmless. Worker bees fed imidacloprid‐contaminated pollen had shortened life spans and were unable to produce brood. Worker bees consumed less pollen contaminated with abamectin. Metaflumizone, chlorantraniliprole and all fungicides tested caused no sub‐lethal effects in bumble bee micro‐colonies. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the new reduced risk insecticides metaflumizone and chlorantraniliprole and the fungicides myclobutanil, potassium bicarbonate and cyprodinil + fludioxonil are safe for greenhouse use in the presence of bumble bees. This information can be used preserve greenhouse pollination programs while maintaining acceptable pest management. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Comparative analyses of the toxic effects of imidacloprid and spirotetramat on Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), the vector of tomato zonate spot virus: a laboratory assay

The tomato zonate spot virus (TZSV) is responsible for substantial yield losses in vegetables, tobacco and other cash crops in China in recent years. The western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera, Thripidae), is the main vector of TZSV in Yunnan Province. Because controlling the population of insect vectors is the most efficient way to prevent epidemics of viral diseases, we conducted laboratory assays to assess the potential of using spirotetramat as an alternative to imidacloprid in controlling F. occidentalis. Our results demonstrated that spirotetramat was significantly more lethal than imidacloprid to F. occidentalis at different concentrations. The LC₃₀, LC₅₀ and LC₉₀ values of spirotetramat were all much lower than those of imidacloprid after the same time of treatment. Frankliniella occidentalis was more sensitive when treated with spirotetramat than imidacloprid at the concentrations of 500, 250, 125 and 62.5mg/L, and the median lethal concentrations (LC₅₀) were 285.53, 82.24 and 11.19mg/L at 12, 36 and 72 hours after treatment, respectively. Spirotetramat caused 100% mortality of F. occidentalis at 500 and 250 mg/L after 48 hours treatment, and at the lowest concentration 125 mg/L at 72 hours after treatment, respectively. Field experiments carried out elsewhere have confirmed our findings. Together they allow us to conclude that spirotetramat is a promising pesticide for the control F. occidentalis in China.     

Monitoring for imidacloprid resistance in the tobacco‐adapted form of the green peach aphid,Myzus persicae (Sulzer) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), in the eastern United States

BACKGROUND: Imidacloprid is the primary insecticide for controlling the tobacco‐adapted form of the green peach aphid (TGPA), Myzus persicae (Sulzer), a major pest of tobacco worldwide. This study used leaf‐dip bioassays to assess TGPA resistance to imidacloprid in the eastern United States from 2004 through 2007. RESULTS: When combined over the 4 year study, 18, 14 and 3% of the TGPA had imidacloprid resistance ratios (RRs) of 10–20‐fold, 20–30‐fold and 30–90‐fold, respectively, compared with the most susceptible colony tested. This indicates that some colonies have developed moderate levels of resistance to imidacloprid. A colony collected near Clayton, North Carolina, had the highest RR of 91 (LC₅₀ value = 31 mg L^?1). This resistance declined for six tests over a 3 year period in the laboratory culture from >130‐fold RR (LC₅₀ = 48 mg L^?1) to 40‐fold RR (LC₅₀ = 15 mg L^?1). Over the same period, the most susceptible colony and a standard colony not exposed to imidacloprid for over 7 years had consistently low LC₅₀ values. CONCLUSION: Moderate levels of resistance to imidacloprid are noticed among TGPA colonies from the eastern United States. The variation in resistance indicates that the factors responsible are present in the populations at low frequencies and are just not enough to cause field failures yet. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effects of cycloxaprid,a novel cis‐nitromethylene neonicotinoid insecticide,on the feeding behaviour of Sitobion avenae

BACKGROUND: Cycloxaprid with cis‐configuration is a novel neonicotinoid insecticide, developed in China, that has good industrialisation prospects for its high activity against imidacloprid‐resistant pests. Studies were carried out to investigate the biological activity of cycloxaprid and its effect on the feeding behaviour of Sitobion avenae. RESULTS: The results demonstrated that cycloxaprid had good contact and root‐systemic activity. The electrical penetration graph (EPG) revealed that cycloxaprid significantly increased the total time of non‐probing periods and greatly inhibited phloem ingestion of treated aphids because it significantly reduced the total time and the frequency of phloem ingestion. Furthermore, cycloxaprid can increase the phloem salivation of treated aphids by comparison with aphids treated with imdacloprid and distilled water. Consequently, a sublethal dose of cycloxaprid impaired aphid ingestion of phloem sap and thereby reduced the weight of aphids. On the other hand, EPG data showed that a sublethal dose of cycloxaprid had no significant effect on xylem sap ingestion, in contrast to imidacloprid. CONCLUSION: All these tests indicated that cycloxaprid had both contact and root‐systemic activity, with sublethal effects resulting in reduction in Sitobion avenae phloem‐feeding behaviour and growth rate. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry