Toxic effect of malathion on insect pollinators visiting marigold flowers. | [Biologia • 2016]

Author(s):

1. Zafar Iqbal Khan: Department of Botany, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan

2. Hafiz Muhammad Tahir: Department of Zoology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan

3. Salma Begum: Department of Botany, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan

4. Kafeel Ahmed: Department of Botany, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan

5. Saira Batool: Department of Botany, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan

6. Rabia Yaqoob: Department of Zoology, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan

7. Ijaz Rasool Noorka: University College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Pakistan

Abstract:

The residual effect of malathion on insect pollinators i.E., honey bees, butterflies, syrphid flies and bumble bees, was observed in field and in semi-field experiments. For the study the recommended field dose of malathion (0.002gm/ml) was sprayed on a patch of marigold (Calendula officinalis). Number of pollinators that visited the study patches before insecticide application (control) and after application (insecticide treatment) was recorded. The data was recorded till 10th day after the insecticide spray. Total number of insect pollinators was significantly higher before insecticide spray. There was drastic decline in the number of pollinators, especially of honey bees, after the insecticide treatment. However, it is concluded that malathion is highly toxic to insect pollinators and use of malathion should be minimized to protect the population of insect pollinators which provide important services to the pollination of agricultural crops.

Page(s): 1-7

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Biologia, Volume: 62, Issue: 1, Year: 2016

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