A groundbreaking study from Pakistan has revealed alarming evidence that commonly used insecticide mixtures can be devastatingly lethal to honey bees (Apis mellifera), threatening both pollination and food security.
Researchers from the MNS University of Agriculture, University of the Punjab, and National Agriculture Research Council conducted a detailed laboratory assessment on six pesticide formulations—including both synthetic chemicals and botanicals. The study found that mixtures like thiamethoxam + chlorantraniliprole and abamectin + thiamethoxam were highly toxic to both adult and larval honey bees, leading to complete mortality within 24–36 hours of exposure.
In contrast, natural botanicals such as neem leaf extract and bitter apple extract showed minimal toxicity, with much higher LC₅₀ values indicating relative safety for pollinators. The study quantified toxicity using lethal concentration (LC) tests, revealing that thiamethoxam + chlorantraniliprole had an LC₅₀ as low as 0.041 mg/L for adults and 0.003 mg/L for larvae—making it the most harmful among the tested substances.
The findings underscore a critical environmental risk associated with unregulated pesticide use in Pakistan, particularly in cotton-growing regions of South Punjab, where pesticide application is heavy. Researchers warn that exposure during crop flowering seasons could accelerate colony collapse disorder (CCD), which has already affected thousands of beekeepers across the region.
The authors recommend bee hive relocation or protective measures whenever these insecticides are used in pest control programs. They emphasize integrating botanical alternatives and pollinator-friendly pest management practices into national agricultural strategies to mitigate risks.
Reference
Ullah, S., Iqbal, N., Shahzad, M. S., Khan, H. A. A., Rafiq, K., Abid, A. D., Ali, M., & Saeed, S. (2025). Risk assessment of synthetic insecticides and botanicals to Western honey bee, Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae). International Journal of Tropical Insect Science. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42690-025-01634-0
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