PEST MANAGEMENT FOR-Apis mellifera: RISKS AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES

Year 2025, Volume: 25 Issue: 2, 302 - 315

Fatih Çakar , Halil Şimşek

Abstract

Agricultural pesticides play a crucial role in modern crop protection; however, they pose significant risks to honey bees (Apis mellifera), which are essential for pollination and ecosystem stability. This review synthesizes current evidence on the physiological, behavioral, and colony-level impacts of agrochemicals, highlighting sustainable alternatives. Insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and other chemical agents can induce acute and chronic toxicity in bees, impairing their orientation, communication, and foraging behavior. They also weaken immune defenses, disrupt gut microbiota, and increase susceptibility to pathogens. Adverse outcomes extend to queen health, reproductive success, and colony integrity with direct implications for Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD). Risk factors such as hive placement near agricultural fields and improper timing of pesticide application further exacerbate these threats. To mitigate risks, bee-friendly strategies— including organic farming, biological control, integrated pest management (IPM), and responsible pesticide use—are emphasized. Policy analyses from Turkey and global contexts reveal the urgent need for pollinator-focused regulations. In conclusion, protecting bee health is crucial for the sustainability of agriculture and food security. Promoting bee-friendly agricultural practices is essential not only for maintaining ecological balance but also for ensuring the continuity of ecosystem services.

Keywords

Apis mellifera , Pesticides , Colony Collapse Disorder , Sustainable Agriculture , Pollinators

Zirai Mücadele-Apis mellifera Etkileşimi: Riskler ve Koruma Stratejileri

Abstract

Modern tarımda pestisitler, ürün korumada merkezi bir rol oynamakta, ancak ekosistem dengesi ve tozlaşma için vazgeçilmez olan bal arıları (Apis mellifera) açısından ciddi riskler oluşturmaktadır. Bu derleme, tarım kimyasallarının bal arıları üzerindeki fizyolojik, davranışsal ve koloni düzeyindeki etkilerine ilişkin güncel kanıtları özetlemekte ve sürdürülebilir alternatiflere dikkat çekmektedir. İnsektisitler, herbisitler, fungisitler ve diğer kimyasal ajanlar, arılarda akut ve kronik toksisiteye yol açarak yön bulma, iletişim ve besin arama davranışlarını bozabilmektedir. Ayrıca bağışıklık savunmalarını zayıflatmakta, bağırsak mikrobiyotasını bozmakta ve patojenlere duyarlılığı artırmaktadır. Olumsuz sonuçlar, kraliçe sağlığı, üreme başarısı ve koloni bütünlüğüne kadar uzanarak Koloni Çöküş Sendromu (KÇS) ile doğrudan ilişkilendirilmektedir. Kovanların tarım alanlarına yakın konumlandırılması ve pestisit uygulamalarının uygunsuz zamanlaması gibi risk faktörleri bu tehditleri daha da ağırlaştırmaktadır. Riskleri azaltmak için organik tarım, biyolojik mücadele, Entegre Zararlı Yönetimi (EZY) ve bilinçli pestisit kullanımı gibi arı dostu stratejiler ön plana çıkmaktadır. Türkiye ve dünya genelindeki politika analizleri, tozlayıcı odaklı düzenlemelerin aciliyetini ortaya koymaktadır. Sonuç olarak, arı sağlığının korunması, sürdürülebilir tarım ve gıda güvenliği için hayati öneme sahiptir. Arı dostu tarım uygulamalarının teşvik edilmesi, yalnızca ekolojik dengenin korunması için değil, aynı zamanda ekosistem hizmetlerinin sürekliliğinin sağlanması açısından da gereklidir.

Keywords

Apis mellifera , Pestisitler , Koloni Çöküş Sendromu , Sürdürülebilir Tarım , Tozlayıcılar

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