Adding an experimental sticker did not markedly reduce the toxicity of either Furadan® (carbofuran) or Penncap-M® (a microencapsulated formulation of methyl parathion) to honey bees. When sprayed on flowering alfalfa, these insecticidal formulations killed large numbers of bees in colonies located on the borders of the sprayed fields. In a related study, Penncap-M, without the sticker, killed colonies placed adjacent to the treated field 5 hr after this spray was applied. In contrast, colonies placed next to a field 5 hr after it was sprayed with a combination of both the experimental sticker and Penncap-M lost only 11% as many bees as the colonies placed next to the field that was sprayed with only Penncap-M. In the Furadan-treated fields, the alfalfa foliage had 873 times more carbofuran residue per gram than the honey samples. Freshly collected pollen from pollen traps had 15 times more carbofuran, and dead bees had 6 times more carbofuran than the honey samples. In the Penncap-M-treated fields, the alfalfa foliage had 356 times more methyl parathion than the dead bee samples. Pollen contained 21 times more parathion per gram than the dead bees. Honey from the Penncap-M-treated fields was not analyzed.
Contributor Notes
1 Hymenoptera: Apidae.
2 In cooperation with the University of Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Station as Journal Article #1380, and the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station as Journal Article J-4863.
3 Mention of a proprietory product does not constitute a recommendation by the USDA, or does it imply registration under FIFRA as amended.
4 Research Entomologist, Plant Science and Water Conservation Laboratory, ARS, USDA, P.O. Box 1029, Stillwater, OK 74076.
5 Formerly Research Chemist and Apiarist, respectively, Honey Bee Pesticides/Disease Research Facility, ARS, USDA, Box 3168, University Station, Laramie, WY 82071. Present addresses: University of Wyoming, Laramie, and USDA-ARS Honey Bee Research, 509 W. 4th Street, Weslaco, TX 78596, respectively.