Open AccessAcute toxicity of Siltac EC to the honey bee (Apis mellifera)
Author(s) -
Michał Patrzałek,
Bartosz Bojarski,
Jacek Antonkiewicz
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
roczniki naukowe polskiego towarzystwa zootechnicznego
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2719-3934
pISSN - 1733-7305
DOI - 10.5604/01.3001.0015.0532
Subject(s) - pesticide , honey bee , toxicology , toxicity , acute toxicity , honey bees , pest analysis , contamination , biology , chemistry , botany , agronomy , ecology , organic chemistry
Different types of pesticides are commonly used in modern agriculture. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are sensitive indicators of environmental contamination with these substances. Exposure of honey bees to pesticides can lead to changes in their behaviour and increase mortality, so it is important to develop formulations that provide alternatives to common (‘chemical’) pesticides. The preparation Siltac EC, that has recently been developed (patent no. WO 2016/061259), shows promise as an effective substitute. This preparation is based on a physical interaction with the pest. It does not contain chemicals classified as pesticides. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the toxicity of Siltac EC to adult honeybee workers. The experiments showed that both contact and oral acute toxicity were very low and the preparation can be initially considered safe for honey bees.