Studies on effect of neonicotinoids on colony development of Apis mellifera L. and foraging behavior of honey bee species in mustard crop
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Date
2021-03
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G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar - 263145 (Uttarakhand)
Abstract
Studies on effect of imidacloprid 70 WS seed treatment and thiamethoxam 25 WG spray at pre-bloom and 10% bloom on colony development of Apis mellifera L. and foraging behavior of honey bee species in mustard crop were carried out at Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology Pantnagar, Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand during 2018 and 2019.
The experiment was conducted in both semi and open field conditions. Observations were recorded regarding effect of imidacloprid seed treatment, thiamethoxam spray at pre-bloom and 10% bloom on colony development, foraging behavior, mortality and yield parameters of Indian mustard. The risk to honey bee colonies in the field was investigated by exposing the colonies to imidacloprid seed treatment and thiamethoxam treated mustard crop at rates recommended for insect control. Detailed examination of colony development throughout the period of exposure demonstrated that under open and semi-open field condition thiamethoxam spray at 10% bloom had a negative impact on brood, pollen, nectar, honey capped and egg cell area under open and semi-open field condition. Foraging activity and foraging rate was found to be significantly less in thiamethoxam spray at 10% bloom in comparison to thiamethoxam spray at pre-bloom, imidacloprid seed treatment and control. Mortality of adults of Apis mellifera L. was significantly higher in thiamethoxam spray at 10% bloom in comparison to thiamethoxam spray at pre-bloom, imidacloprid seed treatment and control under open and semi-open field condition. Mustard yield was found to be highest in imidacloprid seed treatment followed by thiamethoxam spray at 10% bloom, pre-bloom and control under open and semi-open field condition.