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Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMF) on honey bee queen development and mating success

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Authors not listed · 2019

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Mobile phone radiation significantly reduced honey bee queen hatching ratio but did not affect mating success or subsequent colony development.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed honey bee queen larvae to radiation from a common mobile phone device (GSM band at 900 MHz) during all stages of pre-adult development including pupation. After 14 days of exposure, hatching of adult queens was assessed and mating success after a further 11 days. Mobile phone radiation significantly reduced the hatching ratio but not the mating success. When treated queens successfully mated, colony development was not adversely affected.

Why This Matters

Full colonies were established using five untreated queens and four treated queens to compare population dynamics. The authors suggest that mobile phone radiation may alter pupal development, but once this stage is passed, no further impairment appears in adulthood. The results are discussed in the context of long-lasting consequences for colony performance and possible links to periodic colony losses.

Exposure Information

A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 900 MHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 900 MHzPower lines50/60 Hz5G mm28 GHzLogarithmic scale

Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.

Cite This Study
Unknown (2019). Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMF) on honey bee queen development and mating success.
Show BibTeX
@article{effects_of_radiofrequency_electromagnetic_radiation_rf_emf_on_honey_bee_queen_development_and_mating_success_ce3808,
  author = {Unknown},
  title = {Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMF) on honey bee queen development and mating success},
  year = {2019},
  doi = {10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.154},
  
}
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.01.154PubMed: 30682608

Quick Questions About This Study

Larvae were exposed to radiation from a common mobile phone device operating in the GSM band at 900 MHz throughout all pre-adult development stages including pupation.
Exposure lasted 14 days before hatching of adult queens was assessed.
Mating success was not significantly reduced by mobile phone radiation.
Colony development was not adversely affected when treated queens had successfully mated.
The authors provide evidence that mobile phone radiation may alter pupal development, but once this stage is passed, no further impairment manifests in adulthood.