Impact of alpha-cypermethrin on honey bees foraging on spring oilseed rape (Brassica napus) flowers in field conditions

BACKGROUND: Cruciferous oil-bearing crops have gained in importance worldwide. The expansion of the growing area of these crops has caused a proliferation of pests. Exposure to organophosphate, carbamate and pyrethroid insecticides has been associated with bee poisoning in food crops. This study examines the repellent effect of alpha-cypermethrin on the number of foraging honey bees, Apis mellifera L., on fields of spring oilseed rape, Brassica napus L. var. oleifera. RESULTS: The first experiment was conducted on differently sprayed 10 m(2) experimental plots where alpha-cypermethrin was applied at different times. Another experiment was conducted on a 4 ha seed production field divided into two parts: one part was treated with alpha-cypermethrin and the other was not treated with this insecticide. The results show that there was no difference in the number of honey bees between alpha-cypermethrin-treated and untreated patches. The result persisted through three observation years, regardless of varying flower and honey bee densities. CONCLUSION: No repellent effect of the insecticide on honey bees was found even 24 h after spraying. The density of oilseed rape flowers most likely played a major role in choosing the foraging area.