Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems - Grains ...

Bees as pollinators
Bees provide a valuable service to agriculture by
improving pollination and increasing crop yields, as
well as being an important primary industry in the
production of honey. It is often necessary to apply
insecticides to flowering crops to control pests; but it
is important to consider the effects on bees and take
steps to reduce the risk of bee poisoning. Bees taking
chemicals back to a hive can result in mass bee deaths,
devastation of entire hives and contamination of the
honey.
Bee poisoning can occur when:
• Insecticides have been used on flowering crops
and foraging bees are subsequently exposed to
contaminated foliage, pollen or nectar.
• Insecticides have been used on crops that are not
flowering, but other plants in the target area are
flowering, causing bees foraging on these plants to
become contaminated.
• Insecticides come in direct contact with bees that
are present in or flying over the target area.
• Bees access water that contains insecticide
residues.
• Spray drift causes direct contamination of bees,
hives or flowering plants.
Communication between crop owners and bee
keepers is key to developing a mutually acceptable
chemical program and minimising the risk to bees.
Photograph courtesy: Susanne Richards
Good practices for beekeepers
• Before placing hives, advise all adjoining crop
owners and any other persons or authorities likely
to be applying insecticides.
• Leave adequate signage in the area, including
contact details.
• Place hives in sheltered areas away from crops that
are likely to be treated with insecticide.
Bee-friendly practices for growers
• Advise beekeepers with hives in the area that you
intend to spray, giving as much notice as possible
(at least 48 hours) to allow time to close down or
move hives for the risk period.
• Choose chemicals that are less toxic to bees –
carefully read all product labels (particularly
‘Protection of Livestock’ statements) to check
toxicity to bees.
• Avoid applying insecticides at times when bees
are foraging. Consider spraying very early in the
morning (low hazard/short residual chemicals
only) or late in the evening after bees have stopped
foraging.
• Take care to avoid spray drift and contamination of
water supplies.
SECTION 4 COMMON Pest, Beneficial AND EXOTIC Species
89
Insects of Southern Australian Broadacre Farming Systems Identification Manual and Education Resource © 2012