Effects of Some Insecticides on Foraging honeybees on Onion Flowers under Field Condition

Abstract

In Ethiopia onion is an important condiment, vegetable and cash crop. Various insects attack the onion in fields, and is a major threat to onion cultivation. To overcome insect infestation problem, the use of different insecticides is a major controlling mechanism. However, the uses of these insecticides against insect pests have dangerous effects on beneficial insects like honeybees (Apis mellifera L.). In this investigation, we report insecticides effects on honeybees that forage on onion flower under field condition. Bombay red onion variety was used to assess the side-effects of profenofos 750 EC, lambda-cyhalothrin 5 EC, deltamethrin 2.5 EC, diazinon 60 EC, malathion 50 EC and endosulfan 35 EC at recommended rate on honeybees foraging on onion flowers. All the tested insecticides were found to be toxic to honeybees and caused mortality within 6 h after spraying.