Herbicides cause impacts on survival and development of bees?

Abstract

Pollination is a key ecosystem service in maintaining biodiversity, which is essential in the reproductive process of higher plants in almost all terrestrial production systems. In order to maintain the vast global biodiversity, including cultivated species, there is a need for diversity of pollinators. However, bees suffer from anthropic actions. These insects have been disappearing from agricultural areas due to the introduction of exotic species, large areas of monoculture, deforestation for agriculture and pasture and, mainly, the fragmentation of habitats and the excessive or incorrect use of pesticides. These pesticides can affect not only the longevity of the bees, but also their vitality which may, over time, influence the maintenance of the colonies. In the case of pesticide use, most studies aim to evaluate the effects of insecticides on bees, and studies on other product classes, such as herbicides, are scarce. This review sought to focus on the possible effects, especially, of herbicide use on bee survival and development. The use of herbicides that show toxicity to beneficial insects, such glyphosate, 2,4-D, MSMA and paraquat must be monitored continuously. The sublethal doses of herbicides, that is, lower dose than the one that causes the death, can trigger behaviors in individuals, causing in serious damages to the colonies maintenance.