A methodology to assess the impact on bees of dust from coated seeds

摘要

During springtime of 2000 to 2003 much bee mortality were observed in France when sowing maize and sunflowers. During 3-4 years beekeepers claim high mortality rates in their apiaries at the time of sowing maize and sunflowers, mainly during April andMay. Blossoming crops or bad agricultural practices were not suspected (as there was neither rape seed crops nor other blossoming crops at this time), but only wild plants such as dandelion or flowering trees in the field hedges. After several meetingswith the Agricultural authorities in the South West of France and a review of different hypothesis, it was decided to investigate on dust seed being disseminated when sowing. As coated seeds were mainly used in this area, there was a suspicion of a possible contamination due to dust produced by coated seeds.