Determination on the effects of seed treatment used in sunflower on honey bee

Objective: Different risks occur for the bees as a result of the transportation of the seed coated pesticides used for sunflower. It is aimed to determine the toxicological effects of seed coated pesticides metalaxyl –M, thiamethoxam and clothianidin to bees in the field and greenhouse and to calculate the risks they may pose by determining the residues of these pesticides in bees, pollen and honey. Material and Methods: Sowing was carried out by applying the effective substances metalaxyl-M, thiamethoxam and clothianidin in sunflower seeds. In the study, beehives were placed in tulle and open areas and daily dead bees were followed. Pollen samples were taken from the plants during the sunflower blooming period. At the end of the flowering period, honey samples were taken from the hives. Extraction of collected honey and pollen samples was carried out according to the QuEChERS method. Then the analyzes were made using LC-MS/MS device. The risk status of the active ingredients metalaxyl-M, thiamethoxam and clothianidin against bees was calculated. Results: Concentration levels were determined in bee, honey and pollen. In the pollen, clothianidin was found to be 221.5 µg/kg, thiamethoxam 79.5 µg/kg and metalaxyl-M 53 µg/kg. While clothianidin was found to be 1.65 µg/kg thiamethoxam 2.12 µg/kg in honey obtained from the gauze field, clothianidin was found to be 1.79 µg/kg and thiamethoxam 1.89 µg/kg in the open field. In the bee collected from the gauze area, clothianidin was determined at a level of 0.56 µg/kg, thiamethoxam at a level of 4.85 µg/kg. Metalaxyl-M concentration levels were not found in any of the bee and honey samples. In the experimental area, where daily dead bees were followed, the highest mortality was determined in the plot treated with clothianidin. In addition, it was determined that the average number of dead bees differed in tulle and open area. Conclusion: The effects of the seed pesticides used in the study on bee, honey and pollen were evaluated. It has been determined that seed pesticides with systemic effects pose a significant risk to honey bees. When the data obtained are evaluated, it has been reported that clothianidin, thiamethoxam and metalaxyl-M applied in sunflower cultivation pose a significant threat to honey bees. Keywords: Sunflower, Honeybee, Thiametoxam, Clothianidin, Metalaxyl-M, Residue, Seed Coated Pesticides