Location: Carl Hayden Bee Research Center
Project Number: 2022-21000-022-007-R
Project Type: Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Mar 15, 2018
End Date: Mar 14, 2021
Objective:
Objective I: Determination of how boscalid and pyraclostrobin affect midgut function in adult honey bees.
Objective II: Determination of how the concentration of boscalid and pyraclostrobin affects the concentrations of these chemicals in honeybee tissues.
Objective III: Determination of how varying dosages of boscalid or pyraclostrobin, in the ecological range, affect colony foraging and growth in honeybees.
Objective IV: Determination of how varying dosages of boscalid or pyraclostrobin affect fungicide concentrations in bees, larvae and hive components.
Objective V: Determination of how field-relevant concentrations of boscalid or pyraclostrobin affect larval development.
Objective VI. Modeling sublethal effects of Pristine®.
Approach:
Using a series of experiments exposing honey bee colonies to the fungicide, Pristine® at field relevant doses, we will determine the effects on specific physiological functions and how these impact colony growth. We will measure the effects of the fungicide on: mitochondrial oxidation rates for mitochondria isolated from midguts, hemolymph and whole body protein and sugar (glucose, trehalose, glycogen) levels, protein digestion rates, hypopharyngeal gland size, learning, as indexed by the proboscis extension reflex (PER), sensitivity to sucrose, tendency to feed brood, and tendency to forage. Data from these studies will be incorporated into a honey bee colony-Varroa mite-pesticide model (VARROAPOP + Pesticides) to determine the effects of the fungicide on colony growth and survival.
