Leafcutting Bee Biology & Management
Leafcutting Bee Incubation Calendar
Leafcutting Bee X-ray Analysis
Leafcutting Bee Gallery
Pollinator Safety and Pesticides
The following information is based largely on Homan and Baird (1987), “Prevent Pesticide Poisoning of Pollinators”, University of Idaho Current Information Series No. 458, and the field observations made by IPS. Homan and Baird credit most of the data to the work of Johansen and Mayer, Washington State University.
The information should be used as a guideline and International Pollination Systems – U.S.A. accepts no responsibility for the use of this information. Many factors such as weather, crop conditions, and bee health, can affect how pollinators interact with pesticides. Always read and follow all label directions when using any pesiticide.
Some common alfalfa seed pesticides and their toxicity to bees:
Pesticide Rating Scale:
**** = Highly toxic, do not apply with bees present.
*** = Moderately toxic, apply in evening after bees have stopped foraging.
** = Low toxicity, apply at night.
* = Can be applied at any time with reasonable safety to bees.
| Pesticide | Honeybee | Leafcutting Bee | Days out of Field: Leafcutting Bee |
| Capture | **** | **** | 7 |
| Comite | * | * | 0 |
| Dibrom | *** | *** | 2 |
| Lannate | **** | **** | 7 |
| Lorsban | **** | **** | 7 |
| Malathion | *** | **** | 7 |
| Malathion ULV | **** | **** | 7 |
| Metasystox-R | *** | *** | 2 |
| Monitor | **** | **** | 10 |
| Omite | * | * | 0 |
| Pounce | **** | **** | 7 |
| Temik | **** | **** | 14 days post irrig. |
| Thiodan | *** | **** | 7 |
| Zephyr | * | * | 0 |