Effect of glyphosate on the foraging activity of European honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)

Abstract

Glyphosate is a widely used agrochemical. Nevertheless, only a few studies have investigated its effect on bees, specifically its influence on their foraging activity. This article provides a summary of the prominent research results on this issue, published in journals in the field of experimental biology. The effect of commonly used concentrations of glyphosate on honey bee navigation has been evaluated in several studies, as well as concentrations that are reportedly sublethal. Exposure to this herbicide increases the flight time back to the hive and affects the flight trajectories of these bees. These results imply that glyphosate at certain concentrations reduces their sensitivity to nectar rewards in associative memories. The contact of bees with non-lethal concentrations of glyphosate results in sublethal effects that affect foraging. In the future, the behaviour of glyphosate and its effect on bees in their natural environment need to be explored.

Keywords

• plant protection
• pollinator
• bee memory
• bee orientation
• sugar syrup