Predicting pesticide fate in the hive (part 1): experimentally determined τ-fluvalinate residues in bees, honey and wax

tau-Fluvalinate residues in bees, honey and wax were measured in two experimental hives treated with Apistan to test a multi-compartmental predictive model. Pesticide residues were monitored for 30 days after treatment in bees and for up to 180 days in honey and wax. Concentrations ranged between 14 and 160 ng g(-1) f.w. in bees and between 98 and 1630 ng g(-1) in wax, while no residues were detected above the analytical limit (2.5 ng g(-1)) in honey. tau-Fluvalinate residues are discussed in the context of a survey of data from the literature on other pesticides (bromopropylate, coumaphos, malathion and amitraz). This data review shows that residues of the same compound exhibit extremely high variability within the same matrix. This finding underlines the importance of developing predictive tools for both post-treatment analysis and a priori evaluation of the possible contamination effects of pesticides depending on the mode of application.