Comparative toxicities of commonly used agricultural insecticides to four honey bee species (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Vietnam

Beekeeping for honey production is a vital economic activity in Vietnam, significantly contributing to the nation's agricultural exports and poverty alleviation. However, the widespread use of pesticides, compounded by insufficient regulations, poses serious challenges to the industry and threatens bee health. This study examined the oral toxicities of five commonly used agricultural insecticides including bifenthrin, imidacloprid, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam, and chlorantraniliprole, on four honey bee species prevalent in Vietnam: the Asian honey bee (Apis cerana), the European honey bee (A. mellifera), the giant honey bee (A. dorsata), and the red dwarf honey bee (A. florea). Our results indicated significant variability in toxicity among the pesticides and honey bee species, with the managed species A. cerana showing the highest tolerance across all tested insecticides. In contrast, the wild species A. dorsata and A. florea were significantly more sensitive. These findings highlight the need to develop a pesticide risk assessment and improve pesticide regulations that consider the impacts on a broader range of honey bee species beyond A. mellifera. [Display omitted] •A toxicity assessment of five insecticides on four honey bee species was conducted.•Toxicity varied by insecticide and bee species.•Imidacloprid and thiamethoxam were the most toxic insecticides.•Apis florea was found to be the most sensitive species to all five insecticides.•Findings emphasize the need for a risk-assessment framework for bee species beyond A. mellifera.