>
> An improved, automated version of the proboscis extension reflex (PER)
> assay with a high degree of trial-to-trial reproducibility was used to
> measure the olfactory learning ability of honey bees treated orally with
> sublethal doses of the most widely used spray adjuvants on almonds in the
> Central Valley of California. Three different adjuvant classes (nonionic
> surfactants, crop oil concentrates, and organosilicone surfactants) were
> investigated in this study. Learning was impaired after ingestion of 20 µg
> organosilicone surfactant, indicating harmful effects on honey bees caused
> by agrochemicals previously believed to be innocuous. Organosilicones were
> more active than the nonionic adjuvants, while the crop oil concentrates
> were inactive. Ingestion was required for the tested adjuvant to have an
> effect on learning, as exposure via antennal contact only induced no level
> of impairment.


It had to be ingested. so does this happen in the field?

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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