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THE EFFECT OF AERIAL INSECTICIDE SPRAYING ON HYMENOPTEROUS POLLINATORS IN NEW BRUNSWICK

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

R. C. Plowright  and
F. H. Rodd
R. C. Plowright
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1
F. H. Rodd
Affiliation:
Department of Zoology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A1
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Abstract

The effects of aerially sprayed fenitrothion (210 g/ha) and aminocarb (70 g/ha) on several hymenopteran taxa in New Brunswick are reported. Exposure cage experiments showed fenitrothion to cause as high mortality among solitary bees and vespid wasps as that previously reported for bumble bees. Exposure cage experiments under aminocarb sprays revealed no detectably increased mortality for bumble bees, but a significant effect on solitary bees. Experiments in which whole bumble bee colonies were set out in fenitrothion and aminocarb spray blocks a few days before spraying gave comparable results to those from the exposure cage experiments.

A series of comparisons of bumble bee densities in sprayed and unsprayed areas confirmed our earlier finding that populations are greatly reduced after fenitrothion application. Population recovery during the rest of the season appears to be influenced by meteorological conditions. The ecological replacement of early-emerging by late-emerging Bombus species in fenitrothion spray blocks is further documented. No relationship between bee densities and aminocarb application was found.

A method for retrospective assessment of pollinator activity by measuring nectar levels in Clintonia borealis was successfully carried out on a small-scale basis.

Type
Articles
Information
The Canadian Entomologist , Volume 112 , Issue 3 , 01 March 1980 , pp. 259 - 269
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1980

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