1. Assessment of Sublethal Effects of Imidacloprid
on Honey Bee Colony Health
Funded by NAPPC (Burt’s Bees) and USDA/ARS (Beltsville)
Galen Dively and Mike Embrey, Dept. of Entomology, UMD
Jeff Pettis, USDA/ARS (Beltsville)
Since the mid 90s, crop protection has experienced major changes in the way that we protect crops from insect pests, weeds, and plant diseases. Some people refer to this as a revolution in crop protection.
The two major forces driving these changes are: pesticide policy or regulation, namely the new Food Quality Protection Act, and advances in agricultural biotechnology.
My assignment today is focus on these major issues confronting crop protection now and in the next five years. I will try to address these questions.

2. Functional Hive Experiment

6. Imidacloprid Residues
Final Colony Status

7. Summary of First Year Results
No differences in colony performance and bee strength.
No effects on foraging activities.
Some colonies experienced missing queens but not related to treatments.
Currently conducting lab studies to determine if imidacloprid-exposed bees are less fit.
Will repeat functional hive experiment and fitness studies in 2009