Lethal and sublethal effects of toxicants on bumble bee populations: a modelling approach

• Published in: Ecotoxicology (London) Vol. 29; no. 3; pp. 237 - 245
• Main Authors: Banks, J. E., Banks, H. T., Myers, N., Laubmeier, A. N., Bommarco, R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.04.2020; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Agriculture; Analysis; Animals; Bees; Bees - physiology; Bumblebees; Colonies; Community composition; Contaminants; Control; DDE; Differential equations; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecosystem; Ecosystem conservation; Ecosystem services; Ecotoxicology; Ekologi; Environment; Environmental Management; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use; Foraging; Hazardous Substances - toxicity; Incubation period; Lethal effects; Mathematical models; Mechanics; Miljö- och naturvårdsvetenskap; Neonicotinoids - toxicity; Nitrous oxide; Parameter estimation; Pesticides; Pesticides - toxicity; Pollination; Pollinators; Populations; Sublethal effects; Toxicants; Hymenoptera; Delay differential equation; Neonicitinoid
• ISSN: 0963-9292; 1573-3017; 1573-3017
• DOI: 10.1007/s10646-020-02162-y

Pollinator decline worldwide is well-documented; globally, chemical pesticides (especially the class of pesticides known as neonicotinoids) have been implicated in hymenopteran decline, but the mechanics and drivers of population trends and dynamics of wild bees is poorly understood. Declines and shifts in community composition of bumble bees (Bombus spp .) have been documented in North America and Europe, with a suite of lethal and sub-lethal effects of pesticides on bumble bee populations documented. We employ a mathematical model parameterized with values taken from the literature that uses differential equations to track bumble bee populations through time in order to attain a better understanding of toxicant effects on a developing colony of bumble bees. We use a delay differential equation (DDE) model, which requires fewer parameter estimations than agent-based models while affording us the ability to explicitly describe the effect of larval incubation and colony history on population outcomes. We explore how both lethal and sublethal effects such as reduced foraging ability may combine to affect population outcomes, and discuss the implications for the protection and conservation of ecosystem services.