Pollen of Various Bee Species Contain Range of Pesticides, Including Neonicotinoids

2023-09-22 04:00:37

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Range of pesticides, including neonicotinoids, found in pollen of different bee species

New research reveals concerning findings for various bee species in Ireland that provide valuable pollination services. The study shows that different bee species may be exposed differently to pesticides, casting doubts on the accuracy of pesticide risk assessments for honey bees as a reference for other bees. The research, conducted by scientists from Trinity College Dublin and Dublin City University, evaluated pesticide residues in crop pollen and bees' collected pollen from 12 sites in Ireland.

Key Findings

• Most pesticides detected: The majority of pesticides found in the samples had not been recently applied to the fields, suggesting their long-lasting presence in the soil or exposure to plants from other areas within the bees' foraging range.
• Different contaminations: Crop pollen was contaminated mainly with fungicides, while honey bee pollen had higher levels of fungicide contamination. Bumble bee pollen showed the highest number of compounds and the most detections of neonicotinoid insecticides.
• Neonicotinoid detection in bumble bee pollen: Despite no recent application in the sampled fields, all five neonicotinoid insecticides were found in bumble bee pollen, indicating potential non-local exposure.

These findings raise significant concerns about the widespread exposure of bees to multiple pesticides. Additionally, previous studies have shown that the combined use of insecticides and fungicides can be more toxic than using each category alone.

"Using honey bees as a reference for pesticide exposure does not provide a complete picture. What applies to honey bees may not be true for bumble bees, both of which are crucial for pollination and supporting healthy ecosystems," warns the team from Trinity College Dublin. They further highlight the worrying presence of neonicotinoids in bumble bee pollen, even in fields where these toxic pesticides had not been used for at least three years. This suggests that these pesticides persist in field edges or that bees collect tainted pollen from beyond the sampled fields.

Further investigation is needed to understand the relationship between neonicotinoid detection and the presence of wild plants in bumble bee pollen. The researchers published their findings in the journal Science of the Total Environment.

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More information:

Elena Zioga et al, Honey bees and bumble bees may be exposed to pesticides differently when foraging on agricultural areas, Science of The Total Environment (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166214

This content is provided by Trinity College Dublin.

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