Understanding Systemic Insecticides as Protection Strategy for Bees
A class of insecticides known as systemic neonicotinyl insecticides has been identified as a potential factor in recently observed declines in pollinators, including the phenomenon amongst honeybees known as Colony Collapse Disorder. Previous research examining the effects of neonicotinyl insecticides on lab colonies of bumblebees found that exposure to these insecticides at various levels increased queen bee mortality and detrimentally altered bee behavior and production. Researchers at the University of Minnesota are using this appropriation to continue this research aimed at quantifying levels of insecticide residues in pollen and nectar of plants treated with systemic insecticides to determine how exposure to these residues affects bee colony health. This phase expands the research to conduct studies in the field in a natural setting.
$326,000 the second year is from the trust fund to the Board of Regents of the University of Minnesota to continue research on how native bee and honey bee colonies are impacted by systemic, neonicotinyl insecticides in pollen and nectar of plants growing in fields and landscapes. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2017, by which time the project must be completed and final products delivered.
Click on Work Plan under Project Details.
Click on Work Plan under Project Details.