Environmental Toxicology

Effects of sublethal concentrations of bifenthrin and deltamethrin on fecundity, growth, and development of the honeybee Apis mellifera ligustica

  1. Ping-Li Dai1,2,
  2. Qiang Wang1,2,
  3. Ji-Hu Sun3,
  4. Feng Liu1,2,
  5. Xing Wang1,
  6. Yan-Yan Wu1,2,
  7. Ting Zhou1,2,*

Article first published online: 2 DEC 2009

DOI: 10.1002/etc.67

Issue

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

Volume 29, Issue 3, pages 644–649, March 2010

Additional Information

How to Cite

Dai, P.-L., Wang, Q., Sun, J.-H., Liu, F., Wang, X., Wu, Y.-Y. and Zhou, T. (2010), Effects of sublethal concentrations of bifenthrin and deltamethrin on fecundity, growth, and development of the honeybee Apis mellifera ligustica. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 29: 644–649. doi: 10.1002/etc.67

Author Information

  1. 1

    Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, 100093, China

  2. 2

    Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology, Ministry of Agriculture, Beijing, 100093, China

  3. 3

    Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China

*Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, 100093, China.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 17 FEB 2010
  2. Article first published online: 2 DEC 2009
  3. Accepted manuscript online: 2 DEC 2009 12:00AM EST
  4. Manuscript Accepted: 11 SEP 2009
  5. Manuscript Revised: 16 APR 2009
  6. Manuscript Received: 1 MAR 2009

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Keywords:

  • Bifenthrin;
  • Deltamethrin;
  • Apis mellifera ligustica;
  • Toxicity test;
  • Sublethal concentration

Abstract

Bifenthrin and deltamethrin have been widely used as pesticides in agriculture and forestry and are becoming an increasing risk to honeybees. The honeybee, Apis mellifera ligustica, is widely recognized as a beneficial insect of agronomic, ecological, and scientific importance. It is important to understand what effects these chemicals have on bees. Effects of two pesticides at sublethal concentrations on fecundity, growth, and development of honeybees were examined with the feeding method for a three-year period (2006–2008). It was shown that both bifenthrin and deltamethrin significantly reduced bee fecundity, decreased the rate at which bees develop to adulthood, and increased their immature periods. The toxicity of bifenthrin and deltamethrin on workers of Apis mellifera ligustica was also assessed, and the results from the present study showed that the median lethal effects of bifenthrin and deltamethrin were 16.7 and 62.8 mg/L, respectively. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:644–649. © 2009 SETAC

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