Arthropods (Sep 2018)
Effect of glyphosate on honey bee (Apis Mellifera) performance
Abstract
To determine the effect of glyphosate (GLY) on honey bee (Apis Mellifera) Carnica breed performance, at the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province of Iran, some randomized selective beekeepers were asked to participate in honeybee research. They were asked to provide a sample of seven to 12 honeybees and a 5 cm piece of comb from the same hive. The experiment was conducted from August to September 2016. Samples of bees and comb from each experimental hive were analyzed using a liquid-chromatography mass spectrometer. Both experimental groups, which were the glyphosate and Roundup groups, were found to exhibit significantly greater mortality when compared to the none-supplemented group. The mortality rate for the group that was given sugar water with glyphosate was an average of one honeybee per day, whereas the average mortality rate for group that was given sugar water with Roundup was an average of 2 honeybees per day. In conclusion it is impossible to categorically state that glyphosate products cause colony collapse disorder. Revealed data indicates that it is certainly plausible that glyphosate herbicides may contribute to the phenomenon. In conclusion we could demonstrate that hives with glyphosate supplemented diets would exhibit a greater rate of mortality than hives. Hives with Roundup supplemented diets would exhibit a greater rate of mortality than hives with no supplementation.
