Investigating combined stressors in bees: insecticides and thermal stress (Old ID 27283)

Skyrail Rainforest Foundation
Role

Chief Investigator

Description

Insecticide use poses a risk to non-target insects including bees. The effects of these compounds is all the more worrying given that honey bees prefer nectar containing traces of the naturally derived insecticide class – the neonicotinoids. This project will expand upon previous bodies of work to investigate the preference of stingless bee species Tetragonula hockingsi when provided with the choice between an insecticide laced food source and a sucrose solution. This project will also explore the combined effects of insecticide exposure and increasing temperature on bees.

Date

30 Jun 2021 - 31 Jan 2022

Project Type

GRANT

Keywords

Climate Change;insecticide;combined stressor;tetragonula hockingsi (Meliponini);Critical Thermal Maximum;fipronil

Funding Body

Skyrail Rainforest Foundation

Amount

1224

Project Team

Lori Lach;Peter Yeeles