Using Citronella to Protect Bees (honeybee Apis mellifera L.) from certain Insecticides and Their Nano Formulations

Abstract

Experiments were performed investigating citronella (Cymbopogon winterianus Jowitt) as a repellent to honeybee Apis mellifera (L.) (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Egypt, it was conducted in laboratory in the Department of Entomology and Pesticides Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, to check long-term survival of honeybee when exposed to different nano insecticides alone or combined with citronella at the same examination box for each. In this study, we used a modeling approach regarding survival data of caged worker bees under chronic exposure to four insecticides (Chloropyrophos, Nano-chloropyrophos Imidacloprid, Nano-Imidacloprid) each of them was supplemented in a box alone and in combination with citronella. Having three replicates and five concentrations (100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 ppm). Laboratory bioassay of these insecticides showed that chloropyrophos and nano chloropyrophos were the most toxic at their high dose (500 ppm) with LT50 of 120.98 and 122.02 followed by 132.14 and 136.5 minutes for Imidacloprid and Nano-Imidacloprid, respectively. No consumption occurred by bees to mixed sugar syrup with insecticides in all treatments when citronella was added. These data highly recommended that adding citronella is very effective when nicotinoid pesticides are used to longevity honeybee life and keep bee safe.

Evaluation of the Essential Oils Used in the Production of Biopesticides: Assessing Their Toxicity toward Both Arthropod Target Species and Beneficial Pollinators

“…Due to these properties that extend to broader groups of insects, it has been utilized to deter bees from food sources represented by sweet substances resulting from human activities, for instance, in candy factories, animal farms (where by-products from sugar cane are used) [32], gardens, and parks, where their presence is not desired in proximity to people. It is also employed to keep them at a distance from crops that have been sprayed with conventional pesticides which are lethal for bees [33].…”

“…[137] It is repellent for honeybees in natural conditions. [33] Recommended for use together with neonicotinoid pesticides.…”

Cytotoxic, Phytotoxic and Insecticidal Potential of Achillea millefolium L. and Chaerophyllum villosum wall. ex dc.

“…In Pakistan, yield of cotton crop decreases to about 28.13% due to pests (Javed et al, 2021). Potential negative effect of pesticides on pollinators has been a cause of concern too (El Helaly et al, 2021) Achillea millefolium L. (Asteraceae) is known as Baranjasif, and its flowers and leaves are used medicinally (Ahmed, 2015). Plant has been used as antioxidant, antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-hypersensitive, antidiabetic, anticancer and anti-diarrheal (Presena, 2016).…”

An Overview of the Mechanisms of Action and Administration Technologies of the Essential Oils Used as Green Insecticides

“…In all these situations, the exposure of the insects to the action of the essential oils is enforced, as they are kept in cages or boxes throughout the experiment [27]. This approach eliminates, the possibility for insects to evade the harmful effects of the essential oils, which also exert repellent effects, as is well known [28,29]. For these reasons, the simple extrapolation of the results obtained in the laboratory to applications in the open field is nearly impossible in these types of studies.…”