Circadian changes in susceptibility of young honeybee workers to intoxication by pyrethroid, carbamate, organophosphorus, benzoyl urea and pyridine derivative insecticides

Abstract

In the years 2009 and 2010, in the apiaries surrounding Tarnobrzeg and Leżajsk, Poland (close to the Carpathian Mountains) research was carried out on diurnal changes in the sensitivity of young honey bee (Apis mellifera) workers to insecticides from various chemical groups: pyrethroids (esfenvalerate, cyhalothrin, alpha-cypermethrin, beta-cyfluthrin, deltamethrin), derivatives of pyridine (pyriproxyfen), carbamate (pirimicarb), organophosphate (diazinon), and benzoyl urea derivative (teflubenzuron). The analyses consisted of intoxicating subsequent groups of honey bees in 2-hour intervals, for a period of 24 hours with selected xenobiotics. The results received indicate that the honey bee shows a statistically significant susceptibility to insecticides, changing in the diurnal rhythm.