Survival and flight ability of Apis mellifera after exposure to anthranilic diamide insecticides

Balancing insecticide use and the conservation of the honey bee Apis mellifera in agricultural areas is a challenge for farmers, especially where bee colonies are introduced. For this reason, it is important to evaluate the toxicity of insecticides used for pest control. This study aimed to assess the toxicity levels of the insecticides Chlorantraniliprole and Cyantraniliprole, both from the anthranilic diamides group, on the survival and flight ability of Africanized honey bees. The experiment was conducted in a laboratory, testing five commercial doses of Chlorantraniliprole (0.015, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 g a.i./L) and Cyantraniliprole (0.015, 0.02, 0.04, 0.05, 0.1 g a.i./L) in two ways of exposure: direct spray onto the bees and ingestion of contaminated diet. Both insecticides caused low mortality regardless of exposure method and dose, but Cyantraniliprole was more toxic when ingested. Flight ability was affected by the insecticides through direct spray at higher doses. Although considered low-risk, direct exposure to these insecticides affected the flight ability of A. mellifera.