Herbicides can have lethal and sub-lethal effects on honey bees. A new study, conducted in Egypt and published in the Journal of Apicultural Research, has evaluated, for the first time, the acute and chronic toxicity of a bentazone-based herbicide to honey bee workers. A herbicide that is commonly used in maize and vegetable crops.

The results showed acute oral toxicity, with LC₅₀ values of 4.077, 3.747, and 3.579 mg mL⁻¹ after 48, 72, and 96 hours, respectively. The chronic effects appear to be even more worrying. Following exposure to two sub-lethal doses (1/5 and 1/10 of the LC₅₀ at 96 hours), the researchers reported reduced pollen consumption, decreased acetylcholinesterase activity and protein content in honey bees, and significant damage to the cellular structure of the honey bee midgut.

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