NEW INSECTICDESNEW INSECTICDES&&

HONEY BEE COLONY COLLAPSEHONEY BEE COLONY COLLAPSE

Bob BrussBob Bruss

Inspector MeetingInspector MeetingOctober 27 – 29, 2008October 27 – 29, 2008

NCDA &CSNCDA &CSSteve Troxler - CommissionerSteve Troxler - Commissioner

Insecticide MOA 1Insecticide MOA 1ºº Sites Sites Nervous SystemNervous System Energy ProductionEnergy Production Muscle ContractionMuscle Contraction Endocrine SystemEndocrine System Chitin ProductionChitin Production Gut ToxinGut Toxin Lipid BiosynthesisLipid Biosynthesis Water BalanceWater Balance

Nervous SystemNervous System

Nervous SystemNervous System

Nervous SystemNervous System

Nervous SystemNervous System

DuPont Crop ProtectionDuPont Crop Protection

ACh

Excitatory Neuron

Motor Neuron

Muscle

GABA

Glut

AChE

Na+/K+

channels

M

M

Mitochondria

Insect Neuromuscular Signaling Pathway

Cl-

channels

Cl-

channels

Na+/K+

channels

Ca+

stores

ACh

Nervous SystemNervous System PyrethrinsPyrethrins / Pyrethroids / DDT / Pyrethroids / DDT

AnaloguesAnalogues inhibits closing of Nainhibits closing of Na++ channels channels pyrethrin I & IIpyrethrin I & II / permethrin, cyfluthrin / permethrin, cyfluthrin DDT, DDE, methoxychlorDDT, DDE, methoxychlor

Oxadiazines (indoxacarb)Oxadiazines (indoxacarb) blocks Nablocks Na++ channels channels

Phenyl pyrazolesPhenyl pyrazoles (fipronil) (fipronil) / Cyclodienes/ Cyclodienes blocks GABA mediated Clblocks GABA mediated Cl-- channels channels chlordane, heptachlor, dieldrin, endrinchlordane, heptachlor, dieldrin, endrin

New Nerve PoisonsNew Nerve Poisons Oxadiazines Oxadiazines

indoxacarb only U.S. representative indoxacarb only U.S. representative (DuPont) (DuPont)

Avaunt (fruit/veg), Advion (baits), StewardAvaunt (fruit/veg), Advion (baits), Steward pro-insecticide / gut-activated / slow actingpro-insecticide / gut-activated / slow acting rapid photodegradation / mod. soil residualrapid photodegradation / mod. soil residual

Phenyl pyrazolesPhenyl pyrazoles fipronil only U.S. representative (BASF)fipronil only U.S. representative (BASF) Regent (corn), Frontline (fleas), TermidorRegent (corn), Frontline (fleas), Termidor rapid photodegradation / long soil residualrapid photodegradation / long soil residual

Nervous SystemNervous System Chloronicotinyls / Chloronicotinyls / NicotineNicotine / / SpinosadSpinosad

activates acetylcholine (ACh) receptors activates acetylcholine (ACh) receptors CNI: CNI: imidaclopridimidacloprid, acetamiprid, , acetamiprid,

thiamethoxamthiamethoxam spinosads: spinosyn A, spinosyn Bspinosads: spinosyn A, spinosyn B

Organophosphates / CarbamatesOrganophosphates / Carbamates inhibits acetylcholinesterase (AChE)inhibits acetylcholinesterase (AChE) carbamates much more reversiblecarbamates much more reversible parathion, diazinon / carbaryl, aldicarbparathion, diazinon / carbaryl, aldicarb Solanaceae: solanine, chaconine, tomatineSolanaceae: solanine, chaconine, tomatine

Nervous SystemNervous System AtropineAtropine

blocks acetylcholine (ACh) receptors blocks acetylcholine (ACh) receptors antidote for AChE poisoningantidote for AChE poisoning

Macrolactones Macrolactones (avermectins)(avermectins) blocks glutamate mediated Clblocks glutamate mediated Cl-- channels channels emamectin benzoate (Denim) derived emamectin benzoate (Denim) derived

from from abamectinabamectin

DuPont Crop ProtectionDuPont Crop Protection

Targets Below Reflect MoA for > 90% of Commercial Insecticides

ACh

Excitatory Neuron

Motor Neuron

Muscle

GABAGlut

AChE

Na+/K+

channels

M

M

OPsCarbamates

Mitochondrial

InsecticidesNeonicotinoids

Spinosad

PyrethroidsIndoxacarb

CyclodienesFipronil

Insect Neuromuscular Signaling Pathway

Cl-

channels

Avermectins

Ca+

stores

Energy ProductionEnergy Production PyrrolesPyrroles

chlorfenapyr only U.S. representative chlorfenapyr only U.S. representative disrupts ATP formation in mitochondriadisrupts ATP formation in mitochondria pro-insecticide (bio-activated to toxin)pro-insecticide (bio-activated to toxin) poorly activated in mammalspoorly activated in mammals some birds sensitive (no crops – Pirate)some birds sensitive (no crops – Pirate) Phantom (termites/ants)Phantom (termites/ants) Pylon (greenhouse vegs & Pylon (greenhouse vegs &

ornamentals)ornamentals) long soil residuallong soil residual

Muscle ContractionMuscle Contraction Anthranilic diamides (DuPont)Anthranilic diamides (DuPont)

chlorantraniliprole 1chlorantraniliprole 1stst U.S. representative U.S. representative RynaxypyrRynaxypyr®® trademark for a.i. trademark for a.i. activates insect activates insect ryanodineryanodine receptors receptors CaCa++ released – muscles contract released – muscles contract vertebrate receptors much less sensitivevertebrate receptors much less sensitive rapid leaf penetration limits contact actionrapid leaf penetration limits contact action

• controls caterpillars & some beetle larvaecontrols caterpillars & some beetle larvae persistent residues but low hazardpersistent residues but low hazard Altacor (fruit), Coragen (veg), Acelepryn Altacor (fruit), Coragen (veg), Acelepryn

(T&O)(T&O)

Endocrine SystemEndocrine System Juvenile Hormone mimicsJuvenile Hormone mimics

insect retains juvenile characteristics @ insect retains juvenile characteristics @ moultmoult• fleas & biting flies fleas & biting flies

analogs: methoprene, hydroprene, analogs: methoprene, hydroprene, kinoprenekinoprene

others: fenoxycarb, pyriproxyfenothers: fenoxycarb, pyriproxyfen Ecdysone agonists (moulting disruptors)Ecdysone agonists (moulting disruptors)

diacylhydrazines: tebufenozide (Confirm)diacylhydrazines: tebufenozide (Confirm) azadirachtinazadirachtin slow actingslow acting

Chitin Production & Gut ToxinsChitin Production & Gut Toxins Chitin biosynthesis inhibitorsChitin biosynthesis inhibitors

chitin: insect exoskeleton polysaccharide chitin: insect exoskeleton polysaccharide benzoylurea IGRsbenzoylurea IGRs

• diflubenzuron (Dimilin), novaluron (Rimon)diflubenzuron (Dimilin), novaluron (Rimon) buprofezin (Applaud)buprofezin (Applaud)

Bacillus thuringiensisBacillus thuringiensis microbial toxins disrupts midgut microbial toxins disrupts midgut

membranemembrane many B.t. subspecies with multiple toxic many B.t. subspecies with multiple toxic

proteinsproteins fermentation products (Dipel, Javelin)fermentation products (Dipel, Javelin) transgenic plantstransgenic plants

Lipid Synthesis InhibitorsLipid Synthesis Inhibitors Tetronic acids (ketonenols) - BayerTetronic acids (ketonenols) - Bayer

blocks formation of lipids; systemic blocks formation of lipids; systemic most active against mites & sucking insects most active against mites & sucking insects spirodiclofen (Envidor)spirodiclofen (Envidor)

• fruits & nuts: spider mites & rust mitesfruits & nuts: spider mites & rust mites spiromesifenspiromesifen

• spider mites, whiteflies & psyllidsspider mites, whiteflies & psyllids• Oberon: field crops & vegetablesOberon: field crops & vegetables• Judo: greenhouse & nursery; Forbid: landscapesJudo: greenhouse & nursery; Forbid: landscapes

spirotetramat (Movento) – EPA cond. June 08spirotetramat (Movento) – EPA cond. June 08• aphids, mealy bugs, whiteflies, scales aphids, mealy bugs, whiteflies, scales

Water Balance ProductsWater Balance Products Abrade or dissolve insect wax Abrade or dissolve insect wax

layerlayer Thorough coverage importantThorough coverage important Boric acidBoric acid OilsOils

COLONY COLLAPSE COLONY COLLAPSE DISORDERDISORDER

ERIC MUSSENERIC MUSSEN

EXTENSION APICULTURISTEXTENSION APICULTURIST

UC DAVISUC DAVIS

Main Topics of DiscussionMain Topics of Discussion

Description of Colony Collapse Description of Colony Collapse Disorder Disorder (CCD)(CCD)

Possible Causes of CCDPossible Causes of CCD Pesticide Concerns with Honey Pesticide Concerns with Honey

BeesBees

Signs of CCDSigns of CCD

Nearly all bees fly from hiveNearly all bees fly from hive quickly: 2-10 daysquickly: 2-10 days

Sometimes, queen and a few newly Sometimes, queen and a few newly emerged emerged adults left behindadults left behind

Sometimes, brood (eggs, larvae, Sometimes, brood (eggs, larvae, pupae) pupae) remain in combsremain in combs will succumb to lack of feed and will succumb to lack of feed and

incubationincubation

Signs of CCDSigns of CCD

Stores remain in the combsStores remain in the combs honey & “bee bread” (stored pollens) honey & “bee bread” (stored pollens)

Stores seem to be toxic to Stores seem to be toxic to immediately immediately re-introduced colonyre-introduced colony combs suitable after they have “dried combs suitable after they have “dried

out,” out,” been been fumigated, or fumigated, or irradiatedirradiated

Stores not scavenged by hive pestsStores not scavenged by hive pests more attractive after combs dry outmore attractive after combs dry out

Who is being impacted?Who is being impacted? Overall 2007 figuresOverall 2007 figures

Colony losses of over 30% reportedColony losses of over 30% reported• Normal loss of 15% expectedNormal loss of 15% expected

24% of beekeepers with CCD losses24% of beekeepers with CCD losses Operations with CCD had losses of 45%Operations with CCD had losses of 45%

Large commercial migratory Large commercial migratory beekeepersbeekeepers Reporting losses 50-90%Reporting losses 50-90% CA, FL, TXCA, FL, TX

CCD in 36 states (including NC)CCD in 36 states (including NC)

Causes of CCD?Causes of CCD?

Electromagnetic waves (especially cell Electromagnetic waves (especially cell phones) interfering with phones) interfering with

navigationnavigation not likelynot likely honey bees rely on landmarks to find their honey bees rely on landmarks to find their

way homeway home honey bees rely on polarized atmospheric honey bees rely on polarized atmospheric

light to interpret the “bee dances”light to interpret the “bee dances”

Causes of CCD?Causes of CCD?

Genetically modified (GM) plantsGenetically modified (GM) plants not likelynot likely Roundup Ready genes/enzymes, should Roundup Ready genes/enzymes, should

not not impact honey beesimpact honey bees Bt genes, or induced parasporal body Bt genes, or induced parasporal body

protein, protein, should not impact honey beesshould not impact honey bees• tested against caterpillars and against honey tested against caterpillars and against honey

bees of various life stagesbees of various life stages

Causes of CCD?Causes of CCD? MalnutritionMalnutrition

likely to be playing a partlikely to be playing a part key element in honey bee healthkey element in honey bee health

• inherent resistance dependent on nutritioninherent resistance dependent on nutrition each colony requires one acre of each colony requires one acre of

blossoms, blossoms, daily, to meet nutritional daily, to meet nutritional needsneeds• has a 50 square mile foraging areahas a 50 square mile foraging area

Causes of CCD?Causes of CCD? MalnutritionMalnutrition

honey bees require a mix of pollens to honey bees require a mix of pollens to meet meet their nutritional needstheir nutritional needs

natural foods often hard to findnatural foods often hard to find• foraging habitat converted to houses, foraging habitat converted to houses,

streets, streets, highways, shopping malls, highways, shopping malls, parking lots, parking lots, airports and runways, and airports and runways, and agricultural fieldsagricultural fields

weather becoming more unpredictableweather becoming more unpredictable• drought or excessive moisture both can drought or excessive moisture both can

prevent prevent honey bees from obtaining honey bees from obtaining required foodrequired food

Causes of CCD?Causes of CCD? Infectious diseasesInfectious diseases

bacterial – not often a problem for adult bacterial – not often a problem for adult honey beeshoney bees

viral – at least 20 known in honey beesviral – at least 20 known in honey bees• only a few cause recognizable signs of diseaseonly a few cause recognizable signs of disease• recently discovered Israeli Acute Paralysis recently discovered Israeli Acute Paralysis

Virus Virus (IAPV) was described as a (IAPV) was described as a “marker” for CCD, “marker” for CCD, but not necessarily the but not necessarily the causecause

• IAPV eventually was found in U.S. bee IAPV eventually was found in U.S. bee samples samples from a decade agofrom a decade ago

Causes of CCD?Causes of CCD? Infectious diseasesInfectious diseases

fungal – only one genus of fungi is fungal – only one genus of fungi is problematic to adult honey bees – problematic to adult honey bees – NosemaNosema

N. ceranaeN. ceranae was discovered in CCD was discovered in CCD studiesstudies• N. ceranaeN. ceranae (Asia) seems to have displaced (Asia) seems to have displaced

our old our old N. apisN. apis (Europe), completely (Europe), completely N. ceranaeN. ceranae also was detected in decade also was detected in decade

old old U.S. bee samplesU.S. bee samples• not likely the cause of CCDnot likely the cause of CCD

Causes of CCD?Causes of CCD? PesticidesPesticides

Generally, only some insecticides and Generally, only some insecticides and acaricides are toxic to honey beesacaricides are toxic to honey bees

Three carboxamide fungicides were toxic Three carboxamide fungicides were toxic to to honey bee brood in UC Davis studieshoney bee brood in UC Davis studies• captancaptan• iprodione (Rovral, Chipco 26019)iprodione (Rovral, Chipco 26019)• boscalid (Endura, Pristine, Pageant)boscalid (Endura, Pristine, Pageant)• excellent activity on brown rot blossom blightexcellent activity on brown rot blossom blight• there are no bee toxicity warnings on the labelsthere are no bee toxicity warnings on the labels

Causes of CCD?Causes of CCD? PesticidesPesticides

Active Ingredient Toxicity: The inherent Active Ingredient Toxicity: The inherent capacity of the chemical to harm an capacity of the chemical to harm an individual bee in a standard exposure test.individual bee in a standard exposure test.• i.e. oral or contact LDi.e. oral or contact LD5050

Product Hazard: Potential for the formulated Product Hazard: Potential for the formulated material to harm individual bees or material to harm individual bees or

colonies colonies when used as directed by the when used as directed by the label.label.

Sublethal Effect: Dose insufficient to cause Sublethal Effect: Dose insufficient to cause death but the treatment has a death but the treatment has a

measurable measurable adverse consequence on adverse consequence on survivalsurvival

Honey BeeHoney BeeApis melliferaApis mellifera

NCDA & CSNCDA & CS

Steve Troxler - CommissionerSteve Troxler - Commissioner

Causes of CCD?Causes of CCD? Pesticide residues found in CCD hivesPesticide residues found in CCD hives

analyzed 108 pollen and 88 beeswax analyzed 108 pollen and 88 beeswax samples samples for 171 chemicalsfor 171 chemicals

26 insecticides26 insecticides 14 fungicides14 fungicides 6 herbicides6 herbicides 6 insecticide metabolites6 insecticide metabolites as many as 17 different pesticides in one as many as 17 different pesticides in one

samplesample

Causes of CCD?Causes of CCD? Pesticides found in CCD hivesPesticides found in CCD hives

all major classes: chlorinated hydrocarbons, all major classes: chlorinated hydrocarbons, organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, organophosphates, carbamates, pyrethroids, neonicotinoids, insect growth regulatorsneonicotinoids, insect growth regulators

VarroaVarroa mite control products – fluvalinate mite control products – fluvalinate and and coumaphos most prevalent (71 and 59% coumaphos most prevalent (71 and 59% of pollen of pollen samples - 100% of beeswax samples - 100% of beeswax samples)samples)

chlorpyriphos (Lorsban) next highest (55% in chlorpyriphos (Lorsban) next highest (55% in pollen and 77% in beeswax)pollen and 77% in beeswax)

boscalid (a component of Pristine) was sixth boscalid (a component of Pristine) was sixth most prevalent in beeswax (13%)most prevalent in beeswax (13%)

Causes of CCD?Causes of CCD?

Worldwide, imidacloprid is suspected Worldwide, imidacloprid is suspected of of causing honey bee colony causing honey bee colony mortality, mortality, including CCD-like including CCD-like collapsescollapses neonicotinoid = chloronicotinyl neonicotinoid = chloronicotinyl

insecticide insecticide imidacloprid is systemic in plantsimidacloprid is systemic in plants imidacloprid is fairly harmless to imidacloprid is fairly harmless to

mammals, mammals, birds and fishes, but it is birds and fishes, but it is exceptionally toxic exceptionally toxic to invertebrates, to invertebrates, including honey beesincluding honey bees

Causes of CCD?Causes of CCD? Imidacloprid and honey beesImidacloprid and honey bees

Bayer report states that 192 ppb is oral Bayer report states that 192 ppb is oral LDLD5050 for adult honey beesfor adult honey bees

Bayer reported that <10 ppb occurs in Bayer reported that <10 ppb occurs in nectar/pollen of treated sunflowers & canolanectar/pollen of treated sunflowers & canola

UC Riverside researchers found 550 ppb in UC Riverside researchers found 550 ppb in nectar from treated red gum nectar from treated red gum

EucalyptusEucalyptus, a , a favorite source of winter bee favorite source of winter bee forage in CAforage in CA

2-3 ppb in sugar syrup causes changes in 2-3 ppb in sugar syrup causes changes in behavior and learning in adult honey behavior and learning in adult honey

beesbees

Causes of CCD?Causes of CCD? Imidacloprid and honey beesImidacloprid and honey bees

imidacloprid registered in 1991imidacloprid registered in 1991 off-patent in 2006off-patent in 2006 ingredient of 303 products registered in NCingredient of 303 products registered in NC

Clothianidin linked to German bee killsClothianidin linked to German bee kills another CNIanother CNI seed treatment alleged to cause kill – how?seed treatment alleged to cause kill – how? NC: seed treatment (Poncho) & sprayable NC: seed treatment (Poncho) & sprayable

products (Aloft, Belay, Clutch)products (Aloft, Belay, Clutch)

Protection of Honey BeesProtection of Honey Bees

Protection should start at homeProtection should start at home Apiculture at NCSU – Beekeeping NotesApiculture at NCSU – Beekeeping Notes

• Dr. John Ambrose & Dr. David TarpyDr. John Ambrose & Dr. David Tarpy• http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/entomology/apiculture/http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/entomology/apiculture/

How to Reduce Bee Poisoning from How to Reduce Bee Poisoning from Pesticides, Pesticides, PNW 591PNW 591• H. Riedl, E. Johansen, L. Brewer, and J. BarbourH. Riedl, E. Johansen, L. Brewer, and J. Barbour•

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/pnw/pnw591.phttp://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pdf/pnw/pnw591.pdfdf

• provides length of residual toxicity in the field, from hours provides length of residual toxicity in the field, from hours to daysto days

Protection of Honey BeesProtection of Honey Bees

Registration process (EPA) – “Non-Registration process (EPA) – “Non-targets”targets” Acute toxicities for adult honey bees Acute toxicities for adult honey bees

requiredrequired Is a label a legal mandate?Is a label a legal mandate?

Admire (imidacloprid) – “Do not apply this Admire (imidacloprid) – “Do not apply this product or allow it to drift to blooming product or allow it to drift to blooming cropscrops or weeds if bees are visiting or weeds if bees are visiting

the the treatment area.”treatment area.” Does violating that label “break the law?”Does violating that label “break the law?”

SummarySummary U.S. beekeepers currently are dealing U.S. beekeepers currently are dealing

with with expected annual losses of 15-25% expected annual losses of 15-25% of their of their coloniescolonies due to parasites, diseases & exposure to due to parasites, diseases & exposure to

toxic toxic chemicalschemicals The 30-90% CCD losses appear to have The 30-90% CCD losses appear to have

additional causesadditional causes Colonies can be protected better from Colonies can be protected better from

exposure to toxic chemicalsexposure to toxic chemicals

Thank YouThank You

NCDA & CSNCDA & CSSteve Troxler - CommissionerSteve Troxler - Commissioner