Negative effects of neonicotinoids on male honeybee survival, behaviour and physiology in the field

Agricultural chemicals such as neonicotinoid insecticides are believed to be one important factor responsible for the recent reduction in health of pollinating insects like western honeybee Apis mellifera. However, effects neonicotinoids on male (drone) remain severely understudied. We examined first time multidimensional field-realistic concentrations two common (thiamethoxam and clothianidin) drone survival, behaviour physiology using individuals reared maintained adults field. Our data showed that reduced survival by 51%, increased drifting non-maternal colonies 100%, delayed flight activities 3 days number living sperm 28%. they did not influence concentration produced drones, strength drone's maternal or total drones those colonies. Policy implications. study demonstrated can elicit a diverse array lethal (survival) sublethal (behaviour, reproductive physiology) honeybees mellifera These findings should considered policy makers looking adopt implement science-based, holistic risk assessments more comprehensively assess ecosystem service providing honeybee. To date, assessment schemes do specifically address potential bees.