Comparison of acute toxicity of widely used insecticides to Apis florea, Apis mellifera, and Apis dorsata workers

Insecticides are a significant component of modern agriculture to control insect pests of field crops and ornamental plants. Unjustified use of insecticides is harmful to beneficial insects, including honey bees. This study was conducted to evaluate the lethal effects of Confidor® (imidacloprid 20% SL), Talstar® (bifenthrin 10% EC), X-Tall® (triazophos + lufenuron + andoxacarb 25% EC), Lancer® (lambda-cyhalothrin 10% EC), Decis Super® (deltamethrin 2.5% EC), Response® (nitenpyrum 10% SL), Big hit® (floniamid + abamectin 10.7 WG), Checkworm® (emamectin Benzoate 1.9% EC), Admiral® (pyriproxyfen 10% EC) and Bunch® (acetamiprid 20% SL) on foragers workers of Apis florea , Apis mellifera and Apis dorsata . Research work was designed in a completely randomized design. These insecticides were diluted in water at their field-recommended doses marked on their labels to carry out indirect toxicity. The filter paper was dipped in insecticidal solution and air-dried. This filter paper was put in cages, and fifteen honey bees were released in each cage. The mortality of honey bees was recorded with time intervals of 3, 6, 12, and 24 h. After 3 h exposure to insecticides, the mortality rate of honey bees was low, but it increased with the passage of time, and maximum mortality was recorded after 24 h. Confidor® after 24 hours caused the highest mortality to A. florea (97.77%), followed by A. mellifera (88.89%) and A. dorsata (82.22%). Talstar® and X-Tall® also cause acute mortality to honey bees. Lancer®, Decis Super®, Response®, Big hit®, Checkworm®, and Admiral® caused medium toxicity to honey bees. Bunch®, in this experiment, caused the lowest toxicity to honey bees and was proven to be less toxic to honey bees.