Toxicity responses of different bee species to flupyradifurone and sulfoxaflor insecticides reveal species and sex-based variations

Authors: KLINE, OLIVIA - University Of Arkansas; Adamczyk Jr, John; JOSHI, NEELENDRA - University Of Arkansas

Submitted to: Science of the Total Environment
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/21/2024
Publication Date: 2/10/2025
Citation: Kline, O., Adamczyk Jr, J.J., Joshi, N. 2025. Toxicity responses of different bee species to flupyradifurone and sulfoxaflor insecticides reveal species and sex-based variations. Science of the Total Environment. 964/178264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.178264.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.178264

Interpretive Summary: Mason bees are solitary, tunnel-nesting bees. Several species, including the horn-faced bee and the blue orchard bee, are commercially managed like honey bees, primarily for the pollination of fruit and nut producing trees. When testing to determine if certain pesticides pose a risk to bee pollinators, the honey bee is often used for these tests while other bee species are not examined. These non-honey bee bee species, however, can be more sensitive to certain pesticides, so it is important to research the impact of certain pesticides on other bee species. This study investigated the effect of two insecticides, sulfoxaflor and flupyradifurone, on the survival of honey bees and three species of other bees called mason bees. Bees were fed both insecticides and their survival was measured for the next four days. Bee sensitivity to the insecticides varied by species and sex of the bee. Honey bees were the least sensitive, followed by the mason bees. In addition, male mason bees were less sensitive than females. Our data indicated that these insecticides may pose a higher risk to the health of certain mason bees compared to honey bees.

Technical Abstract: Mason bees (Osmia spp.) are solitary, tunnel-nesting bees. Several species, including the horn-faced bee (Osmia cornifrons) and the blue orchard bee (Osmia lignaria), are commercially managed, primarily for the pollination of fruit trees and tree nuts. They are efficient pollinators and have high pollen fidelity, and so can greatly benefit orchard yields compared to honey bees (Apis mellifera) alone. Apis mellifera are often used as surrogates for other pollinators during pesticide risk assessment. Non-Apis bee species, however, can be more sensitive to certain pesticides, so it is also important to research the impact of novel pesticides on other bee species, such as O. lignaria. This study investigated the effect of two insecticides, sulfoxaflor and flupyradifurone, on the survival of A. mellifera and three species of mason bees (O. lignaria, O. cornifrons, and Osmia californica). Bees were orally exposed to sulfoxaflor or flupyradifurone and their survival was measured over four days following exposure. Bee sensitivity to the insecticides varied by species and sex of bee. Apis mellifera was the least sensitive, followed by O. cornifrons, with O. lignaria and O. californica as the most sensitive. Male Osmia bees were less sensitive than females. These insecticides may pose a higher risk to the health of Osmia spp. bees compared to A. mellifera.