Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields impair the Cognitive and Motor Abilities of Honey Bees
Shepherd S et al · 2018
ELF EMF exposure reduced learning, altered flight dynamics, and reduced the success of foraging flights towards food sources.
Plain English Summary
Researchers tested how acute exposure to 50 Hz ELF EMFs at levels ranging from 20–100 µT, found at ground level below powerline conductors, to 1000–7000 µT, found within 1 m of the conductors, affects honey bee olfactory learning, flight, foraging activity and feeding. Exposure reduced learning, altered flight dynamics, and reduced the success of foraging flights towards food sources.
Why This Matters
Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF EMF) pollution from overhead powerlines is known to cause biological effects across many phyla, but these effects are poorly understood. The results suggest that 50 Hz ELF EMFs emitted from powerlines may represent a prominent environmental stressor for honey bees, with the potential to impact on their cognitive and motor abilities, which could in turn reduce their ability to pollinate crops.
Exposure Information
Specific exposure levels were not quantified in this study.
Show BibTeX
@article{shepherd_s_et_al_may_2018_extremely_low_frequency_electromagnetic_fields_impair_the_cognitive_and_motor_abilities_of_honey_bees_sci_rep_ce1297,
author = {Shepherd S et al},
title = {Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic Fields impair the Cognitive and Motor Abilities of Honey Bees},
year = {2018},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-018-26185-y},
}