The impact of a volatilized insecticide from a mosquito repelling device on honey bee foraging and recruitment

Chemical controls of insect pests can be harmful to non-target, beneficial insects, such as pollinators, who provide valuable ecological and agricultural services. The potential harm to beneficial insects can be influenced by several variables, including the method by which pesticides are applied and the environments in which they are used. We tested the impacts of a mosquito repellent device for residential use (Thermacell E55 Rechargeable Mosquito Repeller), which emits a vaporized insecticide, on honey bee (Apis mellifera, L.) foraging and recruitment behaviors. We trained two cohorts of freely flying bees from three different hives to forage at two artificial 1M sucrose feeders located equidistant from the hive. Each feeder station had an adjacent Thermacell device, one equipped with a mat that contained the treatment and the other with an uncharged mat (control). We will monitor foraging frequency (primary outcome) and waggle dance propensity, waggle dance frequency, and feeder persistency (secondary outcomes) to determine the impact of treatment on these foraging and recruitment behaviors. These results may be useful to pollinator-conscious consumers who also wish to repel unwanted mosquitoes.