Study Looks at Pesticide Residues in Nectar, Pollen

Dynamics of Pesticide Residues in Nectar and Pollen of Mustard ( Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.) Grown in Himachal Pradesh (India)
Journal Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, Issue Volume 144, Numbers 1-3/September, 2008

Abstract: Residues dynamics of Endosulfan (525.00 g a.i. ha−1), Imidacloprid seed treatment (21 g a.i. kg−1), Lambdacyhalothrin (75.00 g a.i. ha−1) and Spiromesifen (225.00 g a.i. ha−1) in nectar and pollen of mustard, Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. grown in Himachal Pradesh (India) were determined through bioassay (using Drosophila melanogaster Meig. as test organism) and GC (Gas chromatographic) and HPLC (High performance liquid chromatographic) methods…

It was found that Imidcloprid seed treatment was practically harmless to honey bees, whereas a waiting period of 5 days must be observed on crops sprayed with these chemicals during blooms to avoid any accidental hazards to honey bees.