http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs11356-013-1568-2.pdf

Acetylcholinesterase in honey bees (*Apis mellifera*) exposed to
neonicotinoids, atrazine and glyphosate: laboratory and field experiments
Abstract

In Québec, as observed globally, abnormally high honey bee mortality rates
have been reported recently. Several potential contributing factors have
been identified, and exposure to pesticides is of increasing concern. In
maize fields, foraging bees are exposed to residual concentrations of
insecticides such as neonicotinoids used for seed coating. Highly toxic to
bees, neonicotinoids are also reported to increase AChE activity in other
invertebrates exposed to sub-lethal doses. The purpose of this study was
therefore to test if the honey bee’s AChE activity could be altered by
neonicotinoid compounds and to explore possible effects of other common
products used in maize fields: atrazine and glyphosate. One week prior to
pollen shedding, beehives were placed near three different field types:
certified organically grown maize, conventionally grown maize or
non-cultivated. At the same time, caged bees were exposed to increasing
sub-lethal doses of neonicotinoid insecticides (imidacloprid and
clothianidin) and herbicides (atrazine and glyphosate) under controlled
conditions. While increased AChE activity was found in all fields after
2 weeks of exposure, bees close to conventional maize crops showed values
higher than those in both organic maize fields and non-cultivated areas. In
caged bees, AChE activity increased in response to neonicotinoids, and a
slight decrease was observed by glyphosate. These results are discussed
with regard to AChE activity as a potential biomarker of exposure for
neonicotinoids.

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