Acaracide, Fungicide, & Drug Interactions in Honey Bees
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 1:07 pm
It's snowing and the bees aren't out so its a good time to read some bee literature.
An article of the above name was published in PLOS One in late January. You can access it for free and download a pdf for printing at this link:
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Ad ... ne.0054092
I don't think the article reveals anything radically new, but it does add support to the idea that in-hive medication interactions may have a detrimental effect on honeybee health.
The introduction is a particularly good summary of the medications that are commonly used to fight honeybee parasites, including the mechanism of action, affinity for wax and honey, and persistence in the hive.
The final word from the authors: "Until more is known about the potential for interaction between acaricides, fungicides and antimicrobials in the real world it would be prudent for beekeepers to avoid concurrent use of acaricides that aredetoxified by P450s – taufluvalinate, coumaphos, and fenpyroximate – especially in settings where honey bees may be simultaneously exposed to the P450-inhibiting SBI fungicides."
That pretty much echoes Rob Jacobs advice from a post from last year: I would urge beekeepers TO THINK LONG AND HARD before using the last 2 treatments on her list (fluvalinate and coumaphos)--STRONG CHEMICALS & RESISTANCE ISSUES.
Additionally, if you like to read scholarly articles on beekeeping, but don't have access to a digital library through a university, PLOS One is a great resource.
When I typed the above title into the PLOS One search bar, it also brought up the following closely related articles:
Killing Them with Kindness? In-Hive Medications May Inhibit Xenobiotic Efflux Transporters and Endanger Honey Bees.
Learning Impairment in Honey Bees Caused by Agricultural Spray Adjuvants.
High Levels of Miticides and Agrochemicals in North American Apiaries: Implications for Honey Bee Health.
That should be enough reading for several snowy weekends.
Paul
An article of the above name was published in PLOS One in late January. You can access it for free and download a pdf for printing at this link:
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Ad ... ne.0054092
I don't think the article reveals anything radically new, but it does add support to the idea that in-hive medication interactions may have a detrimental effect on honeybee health.
The introduction is a particularly good summary of the medications that are commonly used to fight honeybee parasites, including the mechanism of action, affinity for wax and honey, and persistence in the hive.
The final word from the authors: "Until more is known about the potential for interaction between acaricides, fungicides and antimicrobials in the real world it would be prudent for beekeepers to avoid concurrent use of acaricides that aredetoxified by P450s – taufluvalinate, coumaphos, and fenpyroximate – especially in settings where honey bees may be simultaneously exposed to the P450-inhibiting SBI fungicides."
That pretty much echoes Rob Jacobs advice from a post from last year: I would urge beekeepers TO THINK LONG AND HARD before using the last 2 treatments on her list (fluvalinate and coumaphos)--STRONG CHEMICALS & RESISTANCE ISSUES.
Additionally, if you like to read scholarly articles on beekeeping, but don't have access to a digital library through a university, PLOS One is a great resource.
When I typed the above title into the PLOS One search bar, it also brought up the following closely related articles:
Killing Them with Kindness? In-Hive Medications May Inhibit Xenobiotic Efflux Transporters and Endanger Honey Bees.
Learning Impairment in Honey Bees Caused by Agricultural Spray Adjuvants.
High Levels of Miticides and Agrochemicals in North American Apiaries: Implications for Honey Bee Health.
That should be enough reading for several snowy weekends.
Paul