The Impact of Pesticides on Honey Bees: A review

Authors

  • Mohamed R. Fouad Department of Pesticide Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Aflaton St., 21545, El-Shatby, Alexandria, Egypt https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4102-5111

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v73i1.12098

Keywords:

Pesticides, Apis mellifera, Bee health, Toxicity, Enzymes, Histological, Genetic

Abstract

The review highlights the critical relationship between pesticide exposure and honey bee health. It discusses how various classes of pesticides, including neonicotinoids, carbamates, organophosphates, pyrethroids, and others, adversely affect bee behavior, reproduction, and immune systems. The paper reviews recent scientific findings indicating that sub-lethal doses can impair navigation, foraging efficiency, and colony stability, leading to colony collapse disorder. Emphasizing the ecological and agricultural significance of honeybees as pollinators, the abstract highlights the need for sustainable pesticide use and integrated pest management strategies to protect bee populations and maintain environmental health.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abd Ul-Malik, M. A., Abdou, A., Fouad, M. R., Alkamali, A. S. N., & Abdel-Raheem, S. (2024). Synthesis, spectral characterization and molecular docking studies of some thiocarbohydrazide-based Schiff bases with pyrazole moiety as potential anti-inflammatory agents. Current Chemistry Letters, 13: 683-694.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.5267/j.ccl.2024.5.002

Abd-Eldaim, F. A., Farroh, K. Y., Safina, F. S., Fouad, M. R., Darwish, O. S., Emam, S. S. & Abdel-Halim, K. Y. (2023). Phytotoxic effects of ımidacloprid and its nano-form on the cucumber plants under greenhouse condition and their toxicity on HepG2 cell line. Archives of Phytopathology and Plant Protection, 56(19): 1467-1486.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03235408.2023.2289218

Abdel-Raheem, S. A., Fouad, M. R., Gad, M. A., El-Dean, A. M. K. & Tolba, M. S. (2023). Environmentally green synthesis and characterization of some novel bioactive pyrimidines with excellent bioefficacy and safety profile towards soil organisms. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 11: 110839.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2023.110839

Abdu-Allah, G. A. & Pittendrigh, B. R. (2018). Lethal and sub-lethal effects of select macrocyclic lactones insecticides on forager worker honey bees under laboratory experimental conditions. Ecotoxicology, 27: 81-88.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-017-1872-6

Al Dhafar, Z. M., Abdel Razik, M. A., Osman, M. A. & Sweelam, M. E. (2025). Toxicity and biochemical effects of four pesticides on honey bee, Apis mellifera under laboratory conditions. Brazilian Journal of Biology, 85: e290561.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.290561

Ali, H. M., Abdel-Aty, B., El-Sayed, W., Mariy, F. M. & Hegazy, G. M. (2024b). Glutathione-S-Transferase Response Towards Imidacloprid in Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.). Arab Universities Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 32(1): 1-6.‏

Ali, H. M., Abdel-Aty, B., El-Sayed, W., Mariy, F. M., Hegazy, G. M., Mohamed, R. A. & Zoghly, H. M. (2024a). Imidacloprid effects on acetylcholinesterase and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in Apis mellifera: Experimental and molecular modeling approaches. Chemosphere, 356: 141899.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141899

Arany, I. & Czúcz, B. (2025). Methods for Assessing the Ecosystem Service of Honey Provisioning by the European Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.): A Systematic Review. Sustainability, 17: 4533.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su17104533

Astolfi, A., Kadri, S. M., Lippi, I. C. D. C., Nicodemo, D. & de Oliveira Orsi, R. (2025). Fipronil alters the circadian clock-controlled protein gene and the action of juvenile hormone in bees, Apis mellifera L. Sociobiology, 72(3): e11368.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v72i3.11368

Attencia, V. M., Ruvolo-Takasusuki, M. C. C. & De Toledo, V. D. A. A. (2005). Esterase activity in Apis mellifera after exposure to organophosphate insecticides (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Sociobiology, 45: 587-595.

Ayoub, L., Yaqoob, M., Kanth, R. H., Wani, F. J., Shah, Z. A., Dar, E. A., ... & Alwahibi, M. S. (2024). Exposure to organophosphate insecticides induces behavioral changes and acetylcholinesterase inhibition in Apis mellifera. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 287: 117279.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117279

Badawy, M. E., Nasr, H. M. & Rabea, E. I. (2015). Toxicity and biochemical changes in the honey bee Apis mellifera exposed to four insecticides under laboratory conditions. Apidologie, 46: 177-193.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-014-0315-0

Badiou, A., Meled, M. & Belzunces, L. P. (2008). Honeybee Apis mellifera acetylcholinesterase—a biomarker to detect deltamethrin exposure. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 69: 246-253.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2006.11.020

Badiou-Bénéteau, A., Carvalho, S. M., Brunet, J. L., Carvalho, G. A., Buleté, A., Giroud, B. & Belzunces, L. P. (2012). Development of biomarkers of exposure to xenobiotics in the honey bee Apis mellifera: application to the systemic insecticide thiamethoxam. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 82: 22-31.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2012.05.005

Barascou, L., Sene, D., Le Conte, Y. & Alaux, C. (2022). Pesticide risk assessment: honeybee workers are not all equal regarding the risk posed by exposure to pesticides. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29: 90328-90337.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-21969-2

Batista, A. C., Domingues, C. E. D. C., Costa, M. J. & Silva-Zacarin, E. C. M. (2020). Is a strobilurin fungicide capable of inducing histopathological effects on the midgut and Malpighian tubules of honey bees? Journal of Apicultural Research, 59: 834-843.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2020.1724678

Boily, M., Sarrasin, B., DeBlois, C., Aras, P. & Chagnon, M. (2013). Acetylcholinesterase in honey bees (Apis mellifera) exposed to neonicotinoids, atrazine and glyphosate: laboratory and field experiments. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 20: 5603-5614.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1568-2

Bommuraj, V., Chen, Y., Birenboim, M., Barel, S. & Shimshoni, J. A. (2021). Concentration-and time-dependent toxicity of commonly encountered pesticides and pesticide mixtures to honeybees (Apis mellifera L.). Chemosphere, 266: 128974.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128974

Cabirol, A. & Haase, A. (2019). The neurophysiological bases of the impact of neonicotinoid pesticides on the behaviour of honeybees. Insects, 10(10): 344.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10100344

Carneiro, L. S., Martinez, L. C., De Oliveira, A. H., Cossolin, J. F. S., De Resende, M. T. C. S., Gonçalves, W. G. & Serrão, J. E. (2022). Acute oral exposure to imidacloprid induces apoptosis and autophagy in the midgut of honey bee Apis mellifera workers. Science of the Total Environment, 815: 152847.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152847

Chen, L., He, T., Ding, L., Lan, X., Sun, J., Xu, X. & Chen, L. (2025). Effect of Spinetoram Stress on Midgut Detoxification Enzyme and Gene Expression of Apis cerana cerana Fabricius. Insects, 16: 492.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16050492

Chen, Y., Xu, J., Zheng, X., Zhang, Q., Wang, B., Zhao, M. & Lu, X. (2023). Effects of glyphosate herbicide Roundup® on antioxidant enzymes activity and detoxification-related gene expression in honey bees (Apis mellifera). Journal of Apicultural Research, 62: 1145-1152.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2022.2130455

Chmiel, J. A., Daisley, B. A., Pitek, A. P., Thompson, G. J. & Reid, G. (2020). Understanding the effects of sublethal pesticide exposure on honey bees: a role for probiotics as mediators of environmental stress. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 8: 22.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2020.00022

da Costa, E. M., Augusto, L. P., da Silva, E. K. S., Rocha, V. H. M., Cardoso, T. A. L., Araujo, E. L. & de Almeida, F. A. (2024). Honey bee survival and flight capacity after exposure to sulfoxaflor residues. Sociobiology, 71: e10729.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v71i4.10729

Dai, P., Jack, C. J., Mortensen, A. N. & Ellis, J. D. (2017). Acute toxicity of five pesticides to Apis mellifera larvae reared in vitro. Pest Management Science, 73: 2282-2286.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.4608

de Souza, A. A., da Silva, E. K. S., da Costa, E. M., Cardoso, T. A. L., Costa, J. A. D. M. A., da Silva, D. M. T. & de Oliveira Gondim, A. R. (2024). Survival and flight capacity of Apis mellifera after contact with residues of spiromesifen on melon leaves. Sociobiology, 71: e10753.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v71i4.10753

De Souza, D. A., Feken, M., Tomé, H. V. & Schmehl, D. R. (2024). Honey bee larval toxicity study designs: Applicability of the current study protocols and endpoints as a predictor of pesticide hazard for pollinators. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management, 20: 2283-2293.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ieam.4982

Domatskaya, T. F., Domatskiy, A. N., Levchenko, M. A. & Silivanova, E. A. (2018). Acute contact toxicity of insecticidal baits on honeybees Apis mellifera: a laboratory study. Ukrainian Journal of Ecology, 8: 887-891. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15421/2018_289

Egan, P. A., Dicks, L. V., Hokkanen, H. M. & Stenberg, J. A. (2020). Delivering integrated pest and pollinator management (IPPM). Trends in Plant Science, 25: 577-589.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tplants.2020.01.006

El-Aswad, A. F., Aly, M. I., Fouad, M. R. & Badawy, M. E. (2019). Adsorption and thermodynamic parameters of chlorantraniliprole and dinotefuran on clay loam soil with difference in particle size and pH. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B, 54(6): 475-488.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03601234.2019.1595893

El-Aswad, A. F., Fouad, M. R. & Aly, M. I. (2024b) Experimental and modeling study of the fate and behavior of thiobencarb in clay and sandy clay loam soils. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 21(4): 4405-4418.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-023-05288-8

El-Aswad, A. F., Fouad, M. R., Badawy, M. E. I. & Aly, M. I. (2024a). Modeling study of adsorption isotherms of chlorantraniliprole and dinotefuran on soil. Current Chemistry Letters, 13: 503-514.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.5267/j.ccl.2024.2.008

El-Aswad, A. F., Fouad, M. R., Badawy, M. E. I. & Aly, M. I. (2023b). Effect of calcium carbonate content on potential pesticide adsorption and desorption in calcareous soil. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis, 54: 1379-1387.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00103624.2022.2146131

El-Aswad, A. F., Mohamed, A. E. & Fouad, M. R. (2024c). Investigation of dissipation kinetics and half-lives of fipronil and thiamethoxam in soil under various conditions using experimental modeling design by Minitab software. Scientific Reports, 14: 5717.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-56083-5

El-Aswad, A.F., Fouad, M.R., Aly, M.I. (2023a). Assessment of the acute toxicity of agrochemicals on earthworm (Aporrectodea caliginosa) using filter paper contact and soil mixing tests. Asian Journal of Agriculture, 7: 14-19.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.13057/asianjagric/g070103

Farruggia, F. T., Garber, K., Hartless, C., Jones, K., Kyle, L., Mastrota, N. & Wagman, M. (2022). A retrospective analysis of honey bee (Apis mellifera) pesticide toxicity data. PLoS One, 17: e0265962.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0265962

Fellows, C. J., Anderson, T. D. & Swale, D. R. (2022). Acute toxicity of atrazine, alachlor, and chlorpyrifos mixtures to honey bees. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology, 188: 105271.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pestbp.2022.105271

Ferreira, J. V. A., Almeida-Rocha, J. M., Morante-Filho, J. C., Storck-Tonon, D. & Benchimol, M. (2025). Effect of Agricultural Matrices on the Biodiversity Metrics of Bees (Hymenoptera: Anthophila): A Review. Sociobiology, 72: e11410.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v72i3.11410

Fisher, A. & Rangel, J. (2018). Exposure to pesticides during development negatively affects honey bee (Apis mellifera) drone sperm viability. PLoS One, 13: e0208630.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208630

Forfert, N., Troxler, G., Retschnig, G., Gauthier, L., Straub, L., Moritz, R. F. & Williams, G. R. (2017). Neonicotinoid pesticides can reduce honeybee colony genetic diversity. PLoS One, 12: e0186109.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0186109

Fouad M. R., Badawy M. E. I., El-Aswad, A. F. & Aly, M. I. (2023c) Experimental modeling design to study the effect of different soil treatments on the dissipation of metribuzin herbicide with effect on dehydrogenase activity. Current Chemistry Letters, 12: 383-396.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.5267/j.ccl.2022.12.001

Fouad M. R., El-Aswad A. F., Aly M. I. & Badawy M. E. I. (2023b). Sorption characteristics and thermodynamic parameters of bispyribac-sodium and metribuzin on alluvial soil with difference in particle size and pH value. Current Chemistry Letters, 12: 545-556.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.5267/j.ccl.2023.3.001

Fouad, M. R. & Abdel-Raheem, S. A. (2024). An overview on the fate and behavior of imidacloprid in agricultural environments. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31: 61345-61355.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-35178-6

Fouad, M. R. (2023a). Effect of soil amendments on leaching of thiamethoxam in alluvial and calcareous soil. Basrah Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 36: 164-172.‏‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.37077/25200860.2023.36.1.14

Fouad, M. R. (2023b). Effect of peat, compost, and charcoal on transport of fipronil in clay loam soil and sandy clay loam soil. Current Chemistry Letters, 12: 281-288.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.5267/j.ccl.2022.12.011

Fouad, M. R. (2023c). Effect of temperature and soil type on the adsorption and desorption isotherms of thiamethoxam using Freundlich equation. Egyptian Journal of Chemistry, 66: 197-207.‏

Fouad, M. R. (2023d). Physical characteristics and Freundlich model of adsorption and desorption isotherm for fipronil in six types of Egyptian soil. Current Chemistry Letters, 12: 207-216.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.5267/j.ccl.2022.8.003

Fouad, M. R. (2023e). Validation of adsorption-desorption kinetic models for fipronil and thiamethoxam agrichemicals on three types of Egyptian soils. Egyptian Journal of Chemistry, 66: 219-222.‏

Fouad, M. R., Abd-Eldaim, F. A., Alsehli, B. R. & Mostafa, A. S. (2024f). Non-competitive and competitive sorption of imidacloprid and KNO3 onto soils and their effects on the germination of wheat plants (Triticum aestivum L.). Global NEST Journal, 26: 1-8.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.005670

Fouad, M. R., Aly, H. M. & Hassan, N. A. (2025b). Physicochemical characteristics of biochar and their influence on sorption mechanisms of clothianidin neonicotinoids in agricultural soils. Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture, 44: 87-100.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.5338/KJEA.2025.44.10

Fouad, M. R., Aly, M. I., El-Aswad A. F. & Badawy, M. E. I. (2024e). Effect of particles size on adsorption isotherm of chlorantraniliprole, dinotefuran, bispyribac-sodium, and metribuzin into sandy loam soil. Current Chemistry Letters, 13: 61-72.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.5267/j.ccl.2023.8.009

Fouad, M. R., El-Aswad, A. F. & Aly, M. I. (2024b). Uptake and translocation of fenitrothion and thiobencarb in rice plant under laboratory and field conditions. Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture, 43: 188-199.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.5338/KJEA.2024.43.18

Fouad, M. R., El-Aswad, A. F. & Aly, M. I. (2024c). Mathematical models of the adsorption-desorption kinetics of fenitrothion in clay soil and sandy clay loam soil. Current Chemistry Letters, 13: 641-654.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.5267/j.ccl.2024.6.002

Fouad, M. R., El-Aswad, A. F. & Aly, M. I. (2025a). Tracking movement dynamic of fenitrothion and thiobencarb in rice paddy using a field lysimeters at different levels of soil depth. Current Chemistry Letters, 14: 633-642.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.5267/j.ccl.2025.2.003

Fouad, M. R., El-Aswad, A. F., Aly, M. I. & Badawy, M.E.I. (2024a). Environmental impact of biochar and wheat straw on mobility of dinotefuran and metribuzin into soils. Asian Journal of Agriculture, 8: 57-63.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.13057/asianjagric/g080108

Fouad, M. R., El-Aswad, A. F., Badawy, M. E. & Aly, M. I. (2024d). Effect of soil organic amendments on sorption behavior of two insecticides and two herbicides.‏ Current Chemistry Letters, 13: 377–390, DOI: https://doi.org/10.5267/j.ccl.2023.10.007

Fouad, M. R., El-Aswad, A. F., Badawy, M. E. I. & Aly M. I. (2024g). Impact of organic amendments addition to sandy clay loam soil and sandy loam soil on leaching process of chlorantraniliprole insecticide and bispyribac-sodium herbicide. Current Chemistry Letters, 13: 277-286.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.5267/j.ccl.2023.12.004

Fouad, M. R., El-Aswad, A. F., Badawy, M. E. I. & Aly, M. I. (2024h). Effect of pH variation and temperature on pesticides sorption characteristics in calcareous soil. Current Chemistry Letters, 13: 141-150.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.5267/j.ccl.2023.8.002

Fouad, M. R., Shamsan, A. Q. S. & Abdel-Raheem, S.A. (2023a). Toxicity of atrazine and metribuzin herbicides on earthworms (Aporrectodea caliginosa) by filter paper contact and soil mixing techniques. Current Chemistry Letters, 12: 185-192.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.5267/j.ccl.2022.8.006

Galczynska, M., Gamrat, R. & Puc, M. (2025). Honey varieties vs metal and pesticide content-literature review and own research. Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 32: 9-19.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.26444/aaem/197247

Győri, J., Farkas, A., Stolyar, O., Székács, A., Mörtl, M. & Vehovszky, Á. (2017). Inhibitory effects of four neonicotinoid active ingredients on acetylcholine esterase activity. Acta Biologica Hungarica, 68: 345-357.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1556/018.68.2017.4.1

Heard, M. S., Baas, J., Dorne, J. L., Lahive, E., Robinson, A. G., Rortais, A., ... & Hesketh, H. (2017). Comparative toxicity of pesticides and environmental contaminants in bees: Are honey bees a useful proxy for wild bee species? Science of the Total Environment, 578: 357-365.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.10.180

Ibrahim, E. D. S., Abd Alla, A. E., El-Masarawy, M. S., Salem, R. A., Hassan, N. N. & Moustafa, M. A. (2023). Sulfoxaflor influences the biochemical and histological changes on honeybees (Apis mellifera L.). Ecotoxicology, 32(5): 674-681.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-023-02677-0

Iqbal, S., Zhuo, Z., Ali, H., Xu, D., Niaz, Y., Shah, A. N., & Buttar, N. A. (2024). Exploring the synergistic toxicity of synthetic pesticides and their impact on development and behavior of Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.). Emirates Journal of Food and Agriculture, 36: 1-7.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/ejfa.2024.122884

Jacob, C. R., Malaquias, J. B., Zanardi, O. Z., Silva, C. A., Jacob, J. F. & Yamamoto, P. T. (2019). Oral acute toxicity and impact of neonicotinoids on Apis mellifera L. and Scaptotrigona postica Latreille (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Ecotoxicology, 28(7): 744-753.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-019-02070-w

Khalifa, S. A., Elshafiey, E. H., Shetaia, A. A., El-Wahed, A. A. A., Algethami, A. F., Musharraf, S. G., & El-Seedi, H. R. (2021). Overview of bee pollination and its economic value for crop production. Insects, 12: 688.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12080688

Khan, K. A., Al-Ghamdi, A. A., Ghramh, H. A., Ansari, M. J., Ali, H., Alamri, S. A., Al-Kahtani, S. N., Adgaba, N., Qasim, M., & Hafeez, M. (2020). Structural diversity and functional variability of gut microbial communities associated with honey bees. Microbial Pathogenesis, 138: 103793.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpath.2019.103793

Kim, J., Chon, K., Kim, B. S., Oh, J. A., Yoon, C. Y. & Park, H. H. (2022). Assessment of acute and chronic toxicity of cyantraniliprole and sulfoxaflor on honey bee (Apis mellifera) larvae. Pest Management Science, 78: 5402-5412.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.7162

Kumar, S. (2017). Effect of pesticides on glutathione S-transferase activities in forager worker bees of Apis mellifera. Biochemical and Cellular Archives, 17: 295-299.

Ladurner, E., Bosch, J., Kemp, W. P. & Maini, S. (2005). Assessing delayed and acute toxicity of five formulated fungicides to Osmia lignaria Say and Apis mellifera. Apidologie, 36(3): 449-460.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:2005032

Laurino, D., Porporato, M., Patetta, A. & Manino, A. (2011). Toxicity of neonicotinoid insecticides to honey bees: laboratory tests. Bulletin of Insectology, 64: 107-113.

Lee, C., Jeong, S., Jung, C. & Burgett, M. (2016). Acute oral toxicity of neonicotinoid insecticides to four species of honey bee, Apis florea, A. cerana, A. mellifera, and A. dorsata. Journal of Apiculture, 31: 51-58.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.17519/apiculture.2016.04.31.1.51

Lehmann, D. M. & Camp, A. A. (2021). A systematic scoping review of the methodological approaches and effects of pesticide exposure on solitary bees. PLoS One, 16(5): e0251197.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0251197

Li, W., Lv, L., Wang, Y. & Zhu, Y. C. (2023). Mixture effects of thiamethoxam and seven pesticides with different modes of action on honey bees (Apis mellifera). Scientific Reports, 13: 2679.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-29837-w

Li, Z., Li, M., He, J., Zhao, X., Chaimanee, V., Huang, W. F. & Su, S. (2017). Differential physiological effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on honey bees: A comparison between Apis mellifera and Apis cerana. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology, 140: 1-8.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pestbp.2017.06.010

Lundin, O., Rundlöf, M., Jonsson, M., Bommarco, R. & Williams, N. M. (2021). Integrated pest and pollinator management–expanding the concept. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 19(5): 283-291.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/fee.2325

Migdał, P., Roman, A., Popiela-Pleban, E., Kowalska-Góralska, M. & Opaliński, S. (2018). The impact of selected pesticides on honey bees. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 27: 787-792.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.15244/pjoes/74154

Mohamed, I. A., Omar, E. M., Tawfik, A. I., Amro, A. M. & Al Naggar, Y. (2023). Sublethal effects of herbicides clethodim, haloxyfop-P-methyl, and their mixture on honey bee health. Apidologie, 54: 2.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-022-00982-x

Moreira, D. R., de Souza, T. H. S., Galhardo, D., Puentes, S. M. D., Figueira, C. L., Silva, B. G. D. & Ruvolo‐Takasusuki, M. C. C. (2022). Imidacloprid induces histopathological damage in the midgut, ovary, and spermathecal stored spermatozoa of queens after chronic colony exposure. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 41: 1637-1648.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5332

Mostafa, A. S., Nassar, D. M., Abdul-Malik, M. A., Abdel-Halim, K. Y., Mohamed, A. E., Alsehli, B. R. & Fouad, M. R. (2025). Competitive adsorption/desorption of dimethoate pesticide and phosphorus fertilizer in texturally different soils. Soil Environment, 44: 1-7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25252/SE/2025/253664

Mukhtar, Y. & Shankar, U. (2023). Integrated pest and pollinator management in India: A way forward to sustainable agriculture. Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 93: 939-947.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.56093/ijas.v93i9.134403

Oliveira, M. S. D., Pereira, G. D. S., Martinez, L. C., Reis, A. B., Resende, M. T. C. S. D., Silva, L. L. D., & Serrão, J. E. (2024). Effects of chronic oral exposure to insecticide Teflubenzuron on the midgut of the honey bee Apis mellifera workers: histopathological insights into pesticide toxicity. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 31: 44908-44919.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-34066-3

Omelchun, Y. A., Shevchenko, L. V., Nikitina, L. M., Solomon, V. V., Mykhalska, V. M., Furman, S. V. & Lisohurska, O. V. (2025). Pesticides as a cause of honeybee (Apis mellifera) mortality and their persistence in honey. Biosystems Diversity, 33(1): e2501-e2501.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.15421/012501

Pandey, S., Gotame, S., Sejuwal, S., Giri, B. & Giri, S. (2023). Acetylcholinesterase activity in forager honey bees of Nepal. Physiological Entomology, 48(4): 132-140.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/phen.12415

Pashte, V. V. & Patil, C. S. (2018). Toxicity and poisoning symptoms of selected insecticides to honey bees (Apis mellifera mellifera L.). Archives of Biological Sciences, 70(1): 5-12.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS170131020P

Pervez, M. & Manzoor, F. (2021). A study on lethal doses of various pesticides on honeybees (Apis mellifera L.)–a laboratory trial. Physiological Entomology, 46(1): 34-44.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/phen.12338

Pham-Delègue, M. H., Decourtye, A., Kaiser, L. & Devillers, J. (2002). Behavioural methods to assess the effects of pesticides on honey bees. Apidologie, 33(5): 425-432. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:2002033

Phan, N. T., Biddinger, D. J., Rajotte, E. G., Smagghe, G., Reddy, G. V., Ren, Z. X. & Joshi, N. K. (2025). Pesticide use in integrated pest and pollinator management framework to protect pollinator health. Pest Management Science, 81: 1691-1696.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.8582

Rabea, E. I., Nasr, H. M. & Badawy, M. E. (2010). Toxic effect and biochemical study of chlorfluazuron, oxymatrine, and spinosad on honey bees (Apis mellifera). Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 58: 722-732. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00244-009-9403-y

Radwan, M. H., Sand, R. E. & Hendawy, M. A. (2020). Acute toxicity of some insecticides on honeybee, Apis mellifera L. Zagazig Journal of Agricultural Research, 47(1): 65-70.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.21608/zjar.2020.70119

Rinkevich, F. D., Margotta, J. W., Pittman, J. M., Danka, R. G., Tarver, M. R., Ottea, J. A. & Healy, K. B. (2015). Genetics, synergists, and age affect insecticide sensitivity of the honey bee, Apis mellifera. PLoS One, 10(10): e0139841.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0139841

Saad, M. A., Abd-Ella, A. A., Abdu-Allah, G. A., Ezz El-Din, H. E. D. A., Mahmoud, H. A. & Ahmed, A. M. (2023). Toxicological Impact of Certain Pesticides on Honeybee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) under Laboratory Conditions. Assiut Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 54: 65-77.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.21608/ajas.2023.212231.1257

Schuhmann, A., Schmid, A. P., Manzer, S., Schulte, J. & Scheiner, R. (2022). Interaction of insecticides and fungicides in bees. Frontiers in Insect Science, 1: 808335.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/finsc.2021.808335

Serra, R. S., Martínez, L. C., Cossolin, J. F. S., Resende, M. T. C. S. D., Carneiro, L. S., Fiaz, M. & Serrão, J. E. (2023). The fungicide azoxystrobin causes histopathological and cytotoxic changes in the midgut of the honey bee Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Ecotoxicology, 32: 234-242.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-023-02633-y

Shamsan, A. Q. S., Fouad, M. R., Yacoob, W. A. R. M., Abdul-Malik, M. A. & Abdel-Raheem S. A. (2023). Performance of a variety of treatment processes to purify wastewater in the food industry. Current Chemistry Letters, 12(2): 431-438.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.5267/j.ccl.2022.11.003

Shepherd, S., Park, Y. G. & Krupke, C. H. (2024). Effects of common co-occurring pesticides (a neonicotinoid and fungicide) on honey bee colony health in a semi-field study. Heliyon, 10: 29886.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29886

Shi, J., Liao, C., Wang, Z., Zeng, Z. & Wu, X. (2019). Effects of sublethal acetamiprid doses on the lifespan and memory-related characteristics of honey bee (Apis mellifera) workers. Apidologie, 50: 553-563.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13592-019-00669-w

Souza, C. O., Wanderley Teixeira, V., Cruz, G. D. S., Guedes, C. A., Nascimento, J. C. D. S., Cavalcanti Lapa Neto, C. J., & Teixeira, Á. A. C. (2024). Toxicology, histophysiological and nutritional changes in Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) submitted to limonene and natural pesticides in comparison to synthetic pesticides. Journal of Apicultural Research, 63: 912-923.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2023.2166229

Straub, L., Villamar‐Bouza, L., Bruckner, S., Chantawannakul, P., Kolari, E., Maitip, J. & Williams, G. R. (2021). Negative effects of neonicotinoids on male honeybee survival, behaviour and physiology in the field. Journal of applied ecology, 58: 2515-2528.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2664.14000

Suchail, S., Guez, D. & Belzunces, L. P. (2001). Discrepancy between acute and chronic toxicity induced by imidacloprid and its metabolites in Apis mellifera. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 20: 2482-2486.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620201113

Syama, P. S. & CV, S. K. (2022). Evidence of diet supplementation with vitamin C protecting honeybees from Imidacloprid induced peroxidative damage: a study with Apis cerana indica. Sociobiology, 69: e7763-e7763.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v69i3.7763

Tapparo, A., Marton, D., Giorio, C., Zanella, A., Soldà, L., Marzaro, M., ... & Girolami, V. (2012). Assessment of the environmental exposure of honeybees to particulate matter containing neonicotinoid insecticides coming from corn coated seeds. Environmental Science & Technology, 46: 2592-2599.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1021/es2035152

Tavares, D. A., Dussaubat, C., Kretzschmar, A., Carvalho, S. M., Silva-Zacarin, E. C., Malaspina, O., & Belzunces, L. P. (2017). Exposure of larvae to thiamethoxam affects the survival and physiology of the honey bee at post-embryonic stages. Environmental Pollution, 229: 386-393.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.05.092

Toselli, G. & Sgolastra, F. (2020). Seek and you shall find: An assessment of the influence of the analytical methodologies on pesticide occurrences in honey bee-collected pollen with a systematic review. Chemosphere, 258: 127358.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127358

Tu, H. T., Silvestre, F., Scippo, M. L., Thome, J. P., Phuong, N. T. & Kestemont, P. (2009). Acetylcholinesterase activity as a biomarker of exposure to antibiotics and pesticides in the black tiger shrimp (Penaeus monodon). Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 72: 1463-1470.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2009.04.008

Ulziibayar, D. & Jung, C. (2019). Comparison of acute toxicity of different groups of pesticides to honey bee workers (Apis mellifera L.). Journal of Apiculture, 34: 305-313.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.17519/apiculture.2019.11.34.4.305

Ulziibayar, D., Begna, T., Ghosh, S. & Jung, C. (2021). Acute and chronic toxicity of selected pesticides used in strawberry greenhouse to honeybee (Apis mellifera) larvae. Journal of Apiculture, 36(4): 281-287.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.17519/apiculture.2021.11.36.4.281

Walker, E. K., Brock, G. N., Arvidson, R. S. & Johnson, R. M. (2022). Acute toxicity of fungicide–insecticide–adjuvant combinations applied to almonds during bloom on adult honey bees. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 41(4): 1042-1053.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5297

Yao, J., Zhu, Y. C. & Adamczyk, J. (2018). Responses of honey bees to lethal and sublethal doses of formulated clothianidin alone and mixtures. Journal of Economic Entomology, 111(4): 1517-1525.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toy140

Yordanova, M., Evison, S. E., Gill, R. J. & Graystock, P. (2022). The threat of pesticide and disease co-exposure to managed and wild bee larvae. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 17: 319.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2022.03.001

Zhu, Y. C., Yao, J., Adamczyk, J. & Luttrell, R. (2017). Synergistic toxicity and physiological impact of imidacloprid alone and binary mixtures with seven representative pesticides on honey bee (Apis mellifera). PLoS One, 12: e0176837.‏ DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0176837

Downloads

Published

2026-02-23

How to Cite

Fouad, M. R. (2026). The Impact of Pesticides on Honey Bees: A review. Sociobiology, 73(1), e12098. https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v73i1.12098

Issue

Section

Review