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ViewAttendees 12

PBT

Section Symposium

Evaluating Sublethal Effects of Agrochemicals on Pollinators

11: Using mathematical models initialized with field and laboratory data to identify colony level effects from fungicide exposure

On-Demand
On-Demand
Fungicides are commonly found in honey bee colonies because they can be applied to blooming plants when bees are foraging. Laboratory studies found that the fungicide, Pristine®, a combination of Boscalid and Pyraclostrobin, can inhibit cellular respiration and pollen digestion in honey bees fed pollen contaminated with these fungicides. Predicting whether laboratory-based effects of pesticides on individual bees will translate into colony-level responses is difficult. Colonies have complex interactions within populations and in relation to the environment making it challenging to isolate the effects of the pesticide. However, mathematical models that simulate honey bee colony dynamics may be a tool for connecting individual and colony level effects of a pesticide. Using laboratory studies, we identified factors affecting individual bees fed Pristine®. We also measure population growth in colonies exposed to Pristine®. Using the VARROAPOP model, we simulated the colonies and included possible factors that affected population growth at each lifestage. The model accurately predicted general population trends for colonies with and without Pristine feeding. The model accurately estimated egg production but overestimated numbers of larvae suggesting Pristine® exposure might affect survival of this age group. The adult population trajectory also was higher in simulated than actual colonies. Predictions were improved by accelerating the transition of house bees to foragers and reducing forager lifespan suggesting that Pristine® might have these effects on worker bees.