NEONICOTINOIDS & ITS EFFECT ON HONEY BEES
- 1. NEONICOTINOIDS & ITS EFFECT ON HONEYBEES BY:- AYUSH MISHRA
- 2. Neonicotinoids Neonicotinoids are a new class of neuro- active insecticides chemically related to Nicotine. Their name literally means" New Nicotine- like Insecticides". These insecticides became so popular because they are more toxic to invertebrates (like insects) as compared to higher organisms like mammals, birds etc.
- 3. • The Neonicotinoid family includes Acetamiprid, Clothianidin, Dinotefuran, Imidacloprid, Nitenpyram, Thiacloprid & Thiamethoxam.
- 4. Current Status Neonicotinoids are being used in over 120 countries & it has a global market of over $ 4 Billion. It is effectively used on around 140 crops across the world. The largest and most popular application of neonics in crop protection is prophylactic Seed Coating. In US & UK around 90% of all insecticidal seed treatment was with Neonicotinoids.
- 5. Mode of Action Neonicotinoids are systemic insecticide which when taken up by plants are transported to all tissues including leaves, flowers, pollen and nectar. They bind to nicotinic acetylcholine receptor of a cell & cause its activation. While low to moderate activation of the receptor causes nerve stimulation, higher level over stimulate and block the receptors causing paralysis and death.
- 6. Effectivity Against Insects Neonicotinoids are active against broad spectrum of economically important crop pests (especially sucking, chewing & soil pests) like:- Aphididae (Aphids) Aleyrodidae (white fly) Cicadellidae (Leafhopper) Chrysomelidae (Corn rootworm) Fulgoroidea (Plant hopper) Pseudococcidae (Mealy bugs) Phytophagus mites
- 7. Uses In Agriculture Neonicotinoids are used as:- Seed treatment for cereals, sugar beet etc. Soil Treatment for Pot plants in ornamental sector. Foliar sprays on Cotton, Potato, Apple, Pear & a range of glasshouse crops. Treatment of turf in Amenity Sector.
- 8. Exposure of Bees to Neonicotinoids Bees may become unintentionally exposed through dust from seed coatings created during planting. Imidacloprid (the largest selling insecticide) is highly toxic to bees and is used in large no. of crops increasing its chance of exposure. Neonicotinoids are used on vast majority of fruits and vegetables like apples, peach, cherries & pumpkins where bees act as chief pollinating agents.
- 10. Types of Exposure a) Direct exposure b) Indirect exposure
- 11. Direct Exposure Bees can absorb Neonicotinoids by consuming nectar in which neonics residue is present. Bees obtain water from gluttation droplets in dry season from plants like corn, which ca be affected with Neonicotinoid. Direct contact from foliar spray on plants like apples, pears & garden crops can also expose bees to neonics & cause death.
- 12. Indirect Exposure Bees get exposed to Neonicotinoid by collecting honeydew secreted by aphids. Neonicotinoid applied to non-bee pollinated crops can also contaminate adjacent vegetation including bee attracting flowers. Affected pollen & nectar that workers bring in beehives can expose queen & larvae to Neonicotinoids.
- 13. Harmful effects on Honey Bees
- 14. 1) Acute toxicity Neonicotinoids are acutely toxic to honeybees by direct contact or by oral contact(mouth). Accute toxicity of neonics causes agitation, vomiting, wing paralysis, aching if abdomen, uncoordinated movement and sudden death. The contact acute LD50 is 0.024 microgram/bee while Acute oral LD50 is 0.005- 0.07 microgram/bee.
- 15. 2) Sub-lethal effects Presence of Neonics in pollen & nectar at sublethal level can :- Impair bee health Cause disruption in foraging behaviour & homing ability Affect communication & larval developemnt Decreases honey secretion The Sublethal LD50 is 0.1-20 ng/bee.
- 16. 3) Chronic Toxicity Neonic breakdown products can be even more toxic than original pesticide. Larvae exposed to longer lasting breakdown product are at high risk Over accumulation (Chronic) of acetylcholine results in paralysis and death.
- 17. 4) Synergistic effect Exposure of Neonicotinoids at low doses can severely harm immune system & make them more susceptible to diseases n Infections. Increase in Nosema fungal diseases has been reported in bees exposed to imidacloprid.
- 18. 5) Colony Collapse Disorder It is a phenomenon that occurs when majority of worker bees in a colony disappear & leave behind a queen, plenty of food & few nurse bees for care. Though it has many possible causes but use of Neonicotinoid is also considered as one of the causes for CCD. Between 2007-2013 10 million beehives were lost (mostly in US) due to CCD
- 19. Proof of Neonic Damage to honey bees In June 2013, 50,000 Honeybees dies in a parking lot of a target store in Oregon, US due to spraying of Dinotefuran. In 2014, Harvard School of Public Health linked low doses of Neonicotinoid to Colony Collapse Disorder. In 2016, Environmental protection agency (US) warned about the danger of Imidacloprid on honeybees (causing decrease in pollination & honey production). In 2017, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology linked the lower level of worker bees in colonies near rapeseed with use of Colthianidin.
- 20. Why we need to save honeybees??
- 22. Ecological Perspective Bees pollinated about 80% of flowering plants in world. Helps in providing nourishing habitat to other organisms like birds. Contributes to floral landscape
- 23. Agricultural Significance Honeybee pollinates 91 of 107 most essential crops in which 43 crops are highly dependent on bees. 1 in 3 bite of food we eat is derived from plant pollinated by bees. It pollinates 75% of all fruits, nuts and vegetables. Provides honey which is consumed across the globe
- 27. Role in Global Economy Pollination by honeybees is estimated to worth over $150 billion. Bee wax is main raw material for cosmetic industries. The global production of honey is over 2 million tonnes. India exported over 45,540 MT of honey which is brought foreign exchange of Rs 563.2 crores.
- 28. THANK YOU