Pesticide exposure of honeybees (Apis mellifera) pollinating melon crops

Abstract

The decline of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) populations impacts global agricultural production and affects both food production and the economy. One of the probable causes for this decline is the indiscriminate use of pesticides. Here, we compare the levels of pesticide exposure among honeybees that are used to pollinate melon (Cucumis melo L.) crops, honeybees that forage in the forest, and stingless bees, Melipona subnitida, that forage in the forest. The level of pesticide exposure was determined by measuring residual pesticide levels of 152 compounds in the honey. Honey samples from the present study contained 19 different pesticides, 13 of which were present in honey from bees pollinating melon crops. The levels of some compounds were sufficiently high to promote toxic effects in the bees. Thus, crop pollination presents a toxicological risk to bees that may reduce their life span.