The state of populations of honey bees, Apis mellifera L., with an increase in the pesticide load in agroce- noses

Abstract

   It is generally recognised that pesticides play a significant role in the decline in the number of insects observed worldwide. The analysis of the causes of unprecedented losses of Apis mellifera L. bee colonies has been carried out. When using plant protection products in agrocenoses. The current state of knowledge on assessing the impact of pesticides on non–target objects is summarised as honey bees and other types of bee pollinators of plants. The mechanisms and features of selective exposure of insecticides from the group of neonicotinoids, butenolides and based on fipronil are described. In addition to direct lethal effects, there is a decrease in the viability and subsequent death of bee colonies as a result of changes in the cognitive abilities of worker bees, the reproductive potential of queens and drones, changes in the immune status of bee colonies and the etiological characteristics of insects. Examples of the negative impact on honeybee populations of various regions of the Russian Federation when using pesticides in agrocenoses are given. The role of organic agriculture in the conservation of honey bees and other pollinators, providing a yield comparable to the integrated plant protection system of entomophilic crops, is noted. Measures to prevent the reduction of honey bee populations due to pesticide toxicosis are outlined: 1. Compliance with the requirements of regulatory documents; 2. Providing apiaries with an optimal feed base; 3. Exclusion of highly toxic insecticides from entomophilic crop protection programs; 4. Realisation of the adaptive potential of honey bees in changing environmental conditions; 5. Transition to organic farming in the cultivation of entomophilic crops.