Does the novel pesticide flupyradifurone have sub-lethal effects on Osmia lignaria?

On-Demand

Presenting Author(s)

Harry Siviter

Post-doc
University of Texas
Austin, Texas

Co-author(s)

Elizabeth A. Lopez

Research Assistant
University of Texas
Austin, Texas
Nicholas Ivers

PhD Candidate
University of Texas
Austin, Texas
Clara Stuligross

Postdoctoral Scholar
University of California
Davis, California

Co-Author(s)

Shalene Jha

Associate Professor
University of Texas
Austin, Texas

Co-author(s)

Felicity Muth

Assistant professor
University of Texas
Austin, Texas

Flupyradifurone is a systemic novel pesticide that offers a viable alternative to neonicotinoids which are restricted in the EU. Like neonicotinoids, flupyradifurone is present in the nectar and pollen of treated crops and wildflowers where bees and other pollinators can be exposed. Despite flupyradifurone being labelled ‘bee safe’, a number of studies have shown that the pesticide has significant negative sub-lethal effects on honeybees. Research over the past decade has shown that wild bees, such as solitary bees, are more vulnerable to systemic insecticide exposure than honeybees. Despite this, little is known about the potential impact of flupyradifurone on wild bees. Here we will present data from a semi-field experiment that assessed whether a soil application of Sivanto, a commercial formula containing flupyradifurone as the active ingredient, has lethal and/or sub-lethal impacts on Blue Orchard Mason bees (Osmia lignaria). We assessed the impact of flupyradifurone on survival, nesting, reproductive output, flower handling, flower visitation and pollination. The experiment is ongoing, but preliminary analysis suggests flupyradifurone has significant negative impacts on Osmia lignaria.