The Neonicotinoid Insecticide Imidacloprid Disrupts Bumblebee Foraging Rhythms and Sleep

Neonicotinoids are implicated in the large declines of flying insect populations including bumblebees, an important group of pollinators[1]. Neonicotinoids, originally named for being a new class of nicotine-like drugs are agonists at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, the main mediators of synaptic neurotransmission found throughout the insect nervous system[2]. These receptors are important for the function of the insect central clock and circadian rhythms[3, 4]. The clock allows pollinators to coincide their activity with availability of floral resources, favourable flight temperatures and impacts learning, navigation and communication[5]. We show that exposure to the field relevant concentration of 10 µg/L of imidacloprid reduced foraging activity, locomotor rhythmicity and foraging rhythmicity in Bombus terrestris. Foragers showed an increase in daytime sleep and an increase in the proportion of activity occurring at night. All of which would compromise foraging and pollination opportunities, reducing the ability of the colony to grow and reproduce, endangering crop yields.

Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation

Tasman, Kiah and Rands, Sean A. and Hodge, James John, The Neonicotinoid Insecticide Imidacloprid Disrupts Bumblebee Foraging Rhythms and Sleep. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3586989 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3586989

This version of the paper has not been formally peer reviewed.