Determining the Effect of Thiacloprid Exposure on Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)

The effect of thiacloprid (21.7% SC), an N-cyanoamidine neonicotinoid exposure on honey bees, Apis mellifera was evaluated under field conditions. A study on foraging behaviour, hygienic behaviour, mortality, and food stores was carried out using different concentrations of thiacloprid viz., 500 ppm, 325 ppm, 250 ppm, 125 ppm, 62.50 ppm, 31.25 ppm, and 0 ppm. A significant effect was observed from the use of concentrations of 500 and 325 ppm only. This was evident for all the behaviours studied. This indicated that thiacloprid remained safer for the honey bees at lower concentrations of 250, 125, 62.50, and 31.25 ppm as the effect of these concentrations was not significantly different from that of the control. Thus, an impact to a great extent on the behaviour of honey bees was possible with the higher concentrations of thiacloprid only.