Impact of endosulfan and clorpiriphos on Apis mellifera in colombian coffee ecosystems

Abstract

To measure the impact of insecticides: endosulfan and clorpiriphos, used to control the coffee berry borer, Hypothetiemus hampei (Ferrari), on the honey bee, Apis mellifera 1.. populations, a field experiment was conducted at Central Research Station of Cenicafé «Na­ranjal» in Chinchina, Colombia. Effect of these insecticides was evaluated using three bee colonies located near coffee fields and data were collected on adult bee mortality, size of the bee colony, residues of insecticides on honey and insect cadavers, and observations were recorded on bee behavior. Results showed that both insecticides caused adult bee mortality even after 11 weeks of insecticide spray; the highest mortalities were recorded during the initial 25 days. Effect of endosulfan treatment was more severe than clorpiriphos causing higher mortalities, reduction of queen fertility, more bee aggressiveness, and colony weakening to diseases and other pests. Residues of endosulfan were recorded from dead bees but not with clorpiriphos. It is concluded that these insecticides have a considerable impact on honey bees in coffee ecosystems.