Toxicidade de espiromesifeno sobre Apis melífera (Hymenoptera: apidae).

Abstract

The honey bee Apis mellifera Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae) is essential for pollination and, consequently, promotes improvements in the quality and quantity of fruits in several crops of agricultural importance. However, in recent years, there have been numerous cases of bees disappearing in agricultural areas in the world, one of the causes being pointed out is the abusive use of phytosanitary products. The aim of this study was evaluate the toxicity of the insecticide/acaricide Spiromesifen on adult workers A. mellifera through ingestion of contaminated diet and contact of bees with residues of the product. The work was carried out at the Entomology Laboratory belonging to CCTA / UFCG, Campus Pombal-PB. The insecticide/acaricide evaluated was Spiromesifen, in doses 0.048; 0.096; 0.144 g a.i. L-1; Thiamethoxam as a positive control at a dose of 0.30 g a.i. L-1 and distilled water as an absolute control. For the oral exposure mode, Spiromesifen, at doses of 0.048, 0.096 and 0.144 g a.i. L-1, caused a mortality rate of 22.7%, 68.3% and 69.6%, respectively. Regarding the contact of the bees with residues of the insecticide/acaricide Spiromesifen, mortality of 24.7%, 25.7% and 25.9% was verified for the doses 0.048, 0.096 and 0.144 g ia L-1, respectively, being less lethal than the positive control, the insecticide Tiametoxam, which had 100% mortality. The insecticide / acaricide Spiromesifen, when supplied via contaminated diet, was highly toxic to adult workers of A. mellifera bees at doses above 0.048 g a.i. L-1. The residuals of Spiromesifen considered low toxic for honey bees, due to the low average mortality rate (25%).