Environmental Entomology (1986) 15, 166-169

John D. Vandenberg and H. Shimanuki (1986)
Two commercial preparations of the ß exotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis influence the mortality of caged adult honey bees, Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae)
Environmental Entomology 15 (1), 166-169
Abstract: Two commercial preparations of thuringiensin, the ß exotoxin produced by some strains of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner, were tested for their effect on honey bees (Apis mellifera L.). ABG-6162 (ABG) and SAN410SC72 (SAN) were diluted in 50% sucrose. When bees were fed the toxin solutions throughout their life, only the most dilute preparation of ABG had no significant effect on LT₅₀ of replicate cages of bees when compared with untreated controls. All other dilutions of ABG and SAN significantly reduced LT₅₀. A single feeding per bee of a 5 x 10^-4 dilution resulted in no significant reduction in LT₅₀ for ABG. Higher doses and all doses of SAN caused a significant reduction in LT₅₀. When dilutions in sucrose solutions were sprinkled on bees in cages, only the highest dose of ABG significantly reduced LT₅₀. Lower doses of ABG and all doses of SAN had no significant impact on LT₅₀. Based on low spray volumes and consequent high thuringiensin concentrations, it is possible but unlikely that foraging honey bees could be exposed to doses sufficient to reduce longevity. However, since sprays are water-based, it is unlikely that honey bees would be sufficiently attracted to it to consume a lethal dose. Furthermore, some spray volumes are large enough, and concentrations low enough, that no toxic effect is expected.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Database assignments for author(s): John D. Vandenberg

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
non-target effects/fate in environm.

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
Bacillus thuringiensis (entomopathogen)