The effect on honeybee mortality of applying insecticides as sprays or granules to flowering field beans

Abstract

The effects on foraging bees of spray formulations of demeton-methyl and granular formulations of disulfoton and phorate applied to field beans in flower, were compared. Sprays killed honeybees foraging on the beans, whereas granules did not, either immediately after application or later. After becoming systemic in plants, the insecticides seemed harmless to bees.

Residue Reviews

“…Granular systemic insecticides applied to flowering field beans killed fewer honeybees than sprays (FREE et al 1967), and nectar was considered less toxic after granule applications with less chance of pOisoned honey (JAYCOX 1964). DE WrIT et al (1963) confined quail birds on ground treated with granular heptachlor to simulate pest control operations and related the insecticide deposit to the amount eaten and to the mortality of the birds.…”

The Incidence of Aphis fabae Scop. on Spring‐sown Field Beans in South‐east England and the Efficiency of Control Measures

“…Granules, particularly phorate, were most frequently used, mainly because they were favoured by contractors who treated a large proportion of fields. Some of the usage may also be attributed to the publicity given to the reduced risk of killing bees when using these formulations for aphid control on beans in flower (Free et al, 1967). Materials included under the heading 'other sprays' in Table 5 were formothion, phosphamidon, azinphos-methyl + demeton-S-methyl sulphone, and pirimicarb.…”

The toxicity to foraging honeybees, Apis mellifera, of endosulfan, malathion and azinphos‐methyl applied to flowering oil seed rape, Brassica napus

“…Previous work (Free et al 1967) compared methods of assessing the effect of insecticide applications on foraging honeybees, and showed that reliable results could be obtained by counting dead bees thrown out of the hives into 'dead bee traps' and by a general examination of each hive.…”