Effects of Dimethoate on Honey Bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae) When Applied to Flowering Lemons

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Abstract
Honey bee, Apis mellifera L., visitation to lemon, Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f., flowers nearly ceased after lemon groves were treated with dimethoate. Bee visitation remained low for 2 weeks after treatment. Colonies placed in a treated orchard the day after treatment lost more than 1,000 bees the first day; losses greater than normal continued for 1 week. Colonies brought in up to 2 weeks later also had more than normal mortality during a 2- or 3-day period after they were exposed to the dimethoate-treated lemon trees. Nectar removed from flowers had dimethoate residues greater than 0.1 ppm for up to 8 days after treatment. Nectar shaken from combs had maximum dimethoate residues of 0.1 ppm. Honey from exposed colonies had no detectable residues.