Abstract

Overview

Environmental stressors play a significant role in the decline of flying insects and critical pollinator species like the honey bee. Extreme low frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF EMFs) and neonicotinoid insecticides are among such stressors.

Findings

• Exposure to 50 Hz EMFs and sublethal doses of clothianidin were studied on bees in flight and learning assays.
• Clothianidin showed toxicity with 25% mortality at 2.00 ng/bee.
• EMF exposure alone increased wingbeat frequency at levels above 100 µT; however, prior exposure to clothianidin reduced this effect.
• Similarly, EMF exposure reduced learning in bees, an effect that was also diminished by prior clothianidin exposure.

Conclusion

While no synergistic effects were observed between clothianidin and ELF EMFs, these exposures impacted the same susceptible bee populations. Such findings underline the importance of understanding the interaction between ELF EMFs and other environmental stressors affecting pollinators.