Exposure of Apis mellifera1 to Bee-Collected Pollen Containing Residues of Microencapsulated Methyl Parathion 2

Abstract

Average mortality of adult honey bees, Apis mellifera L., was from 29 to 72 times higher than normal the first 48 h after aged pollen containing microencapsulated methyl parathion (stored 13 ½ and 14 ½ months in the cells of wax combs) was introduced into small colonies. After one wk adult mortality was still 4 – 10 times higher than normal. After 4 wk, mortality was nearly normal again. Brood production of the exposed colonies was apparently only slightly affected. Chemical analysis of composite samples of the stored pollen showed that 26 ppm methyl parathion and 28 ppm degradation products from the polymer capsule were present. Wax and honey samples collected from these same combs at the same time contained only 0.03 and 0.05 ppm, respectively, of methyl parathion.