Reducing Risk to Pollinators: Pesticide Use in Agriculture

• Reducing Risk to Pollinators main page
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
• Pesticide Use in Urban & Suburban Landscapes
• Pesticide Use in Agriculture
• Pesticide Use on Rangelands
• Pesticide Use in Forests
• Pesticide Use on Wetlands

Pesticide Use in Agriculture

Pollinators include more than just bees. Beetles, wasps, flies, moths, butterflies, birds, bats, and other animals are also responsible for pollination. Yet, testing for risks to pollinators for pesticide labeling purposes typically focuses on the European honey bee, to the exclusion of other native species. It is important to recognize that a pesticide that is labeled “safe” for bees may have deleterious effects on other pollinating species, due to differences in morphology, size, physiology, behavior, climate, or other effects. Use caution and read labels carefully when applying pesticides.

State Agricultural Extension Sites

Protecting Honey Bees from Pesticides , Purdue University Cooperative Extension:

http://www.entm.purdue.edu/Entomology/ext/targets/e-series/EseriesPDF/E-53.pdf

Comprehensive listing of pesticides ranked by toxicity accompanied by good common-sense information and recommendations for growers and bee-keepers. This site has a paragraph on communication and cooperation between growers, pesticide applicators, and beekeepers.

How to Reduce Bee Poisoning from Pesticides, Washington State Extension:

http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/pnw0518/pnw0518.pdf

This site provides comprehensive information for beekeepers and growers, as well as provides pesticide lists based on residual toxicity. Does not appear to have been updated since 1999, but NAPPC partners are working on a revised edition.

Protecting Honey Bees from Pesticides , University of Florida Cooperative Extension:

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/AA145

Contains information on the importance of bees as well as how to recognize and report bee poisoning. Includes methods for predicting mortality based on known pesticide toxicity data, good information on how to protect bees from pesticide exposure, and a comprehensive list of pesticides grouped by toxicity. Last updated 1993.

Bee Pollination of Georgia Crop Plants, University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service:

Extension Bulletin. www.ent.uga.edu/pmh/Pesticide_Safety/Pesticide_Safety.htm . Click on the link Protect Honeybees from Pesticides

Comprehensive source of information about different types of bees, pollination services, crop pollination requirements, pesticides, and species of bees used for pollination. References other beekeeping resources, tables of insecticides and their relative risk to bees, a sample beekeeper/grower contract, and plants used for year-round bee forage.

Reducing the Risk of Pesticide Poisoning to Honey Bees, North Carolina State University:

http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/entomology/apiculture/Html%20files/Pesticides/mosquito.html

Provides advice for both pesticide users and beekeepers relating to common sense practices for avoiding bee poisoning. Includes comprehensive lists on pesticides grouped by toxicity rank. Does not appear to have been updated since 1997.

Protecting Honeybees from Pesticides, North Dakota State University Cooperative Extension:

http://www.ext.nodak.edu/extpubs/plantsci/pests/e494w.htm

Gives precautions for applicators, growers, and beekeepers regarding best practices for pesticides. Lists laboratory toxicity results for a many pesticides, categorizing them as highly toxic, moderately toxic, or non-toxic.

Protecting Honey Bees from Pesticides , Ohio State Cooperative Extension:

http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2161.html

Contains useful information on which groups of chemicals pose the greatest threat to bees. Comprehensive list of pesticides grouped according to toxicity. Does not appear to have been updated since 1996.

Protecting Bees When Using Insecticides, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension:

http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/insects/g1347.htm

Contains information on the importance of bees, factors to consider in order to protect bees from pesticide misuse. Provides points to consider for growers, applicators and bee-keepers, such as, good communication and cooperation. Includes flowering times of various crop plants. Chemical toxicity lists provided.

This information was assembled by NAPPC’s EPA PESP Task Force in 2004-2005.

Problems with Website Links: E-mail the webmaster if you find any incorrect links, and we will do our best to update them.