Attractiveness and toxicity of two insecticides to Tetragonula laeviceps (Apidae: Meliponinae)

Abstract

Stingless bee, Tetragonula laeviceps, plays a primary role in ecosystem services as a pollinator for coffee, cocoa, and pepper. Attacks of insect pests cause low production of several plantation plants. Farmers commonly use synthetic insecticides to control insect pests. However, improper use of insecticides often adversely affects the ecosystem and human health, including pollinators. In Indonesia, research on the side effects of insecticides on non-target insects such as flower visitor insects (pollinators) is minimal. This study aimed to evaluate the attractiveness and toxicity of two insecticides to T. laeviceps. Stingless bees were obtained from beekeepers at Banten. Y-tube olfactometer test was used to determine the attractiveness of bees to insecticides, and a topical test was used to determine the mortality effect of insecticide on bees. The insecticides used were insecticide A (a.i. alpha-cypermethrin) and insecticide B (a.i. spinetoram) at 100 ppm and 60 ppm, respectively. The results showed that bees were more attracted to insecticide B by 73.3% than insecticide A (26.7%). Insecticide B caused 100% bee mortality after 48 hours after treatment (HAT), while Insecticide A caused 0% bee mortality after 48 HAT. The results indicate that insecticide B attracted stingless bees and has a high mortality level.