Abstract
Recent research has shown that several managed bee species have specific P450 enzymes that are preadapted to confer intrinsic tolerance to some insecticides including certain neonicotinoids. However, the universality of this finding across managed bee pollinators is unclear. Here we show that the alfalfa leafcutter bee, Megachile rotundata, lacks such P450 enzymes and is >2,500-fold more sensitive to the neonicotinoid thiacloprid and 170-fold more sensitive to the butenolide insecticide flupyradifurone than other managed bee pollinators. These findings have important implications for the safe use of insecticides in crops where M. rotundata is used for pollination, and ensuring that regulatory pesticide risk assessment frameworks are protective of this species.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
