A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

Volatilized prallethrin impairs the homing ability of bumblebees




AuthorsKaakinen, Kimmo; Loukola, Olli Juhana; Vaajamo, Eva-Maria; Helander, Marjo

Publication year2026

Journal: Biology Letters

Article number20250749

Volume22

Issue4

ISSN1744-9561

eISSN1744-957X

DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2025.0749

Publication's open availability at the time of reportingOpen Access

Publication channel's open availability Partially Open Access publication channel

Web address https://doi.org/10.1098/rsbl.2025.0749

Self-archived copy’s web addresshttps://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/523057606

Self-archived copy's licenceCC BY

Self-archived copy's versionPublisher`s PDF


Abstract

Pollinator decline is one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time, and pesticide use is considered a major contributing factor. In this study, we investigated whether exposure to volatilized prallethrin, a widely used insecticide, impairs the homing ability of bumblebees. Using a consumer-grade vaporizing device, we exposed foraging bees to field-realistic doses of prallethrin and then tested their ability to return to their colony in a rural area where they were already familiar with the surroundings. Our results show that longer exposure durations reduced the bees’ return rates, indicating disrupted navigational ability. However, among those that did return, homing time was not affected by the treatment. While our study only focuses on one key behavioural trait, the findings provide clear evidence of a sublethal effect of a commonly used household insecticide on an essential pollinator species.


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Funding information in the publication
This work was supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation (grant no. NNF0093951) and the Finnish Cultural Foundation to M.H. and the Kone Foundation (grant no. 202010852) to O.J.L.


Last updated on 28/04/2026 09:49:17 AM