Effects of coated maize seed on honey bees - Report based on results obtained from the second year (2010) activity of the APENET project

Abstract

The integrated monitoring-reporting system, configured according to the description presented here, is capable of providing adequate information on the health status of bee hives present in Italy, with particular reference to specific disease agents and residues of pesticides that may cause hive mortality. The surveys conducted so far have shown that in the absence of pesticide residues, the presence of nosema and bee viruses did not cause bee population decline or die-off of bees and hives. By contrast, reports of acute bee die-offs were associated with marked presence of pesticide residues.