Development of a Sensitive Bioassay for Evaluating Sublethal Pesticide Effects on the Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

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Abstract
A standardized bioassay to evaluate sublethal pesticide effects on Apis mellifera L. was developed and tested with two insecticides, malathion and diazinon. Worker age at time of exposure had a significant effect on longevity, as did the test environment (cage or hive). Differences between cage and hive results indicated that laboratory and field studies may not be easily correlated. Under certain experimental conditions, a single exposure to the insecticides significantly reduced length of life of worker bees. This response was dose-dependent. Both malathion and diazinon have lethal and sublethal effects on workers. Malathion had less effect than diazinon on worker longevity, and would therefore be a safer chemical to use where foraging bees may be present.