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bioRxiv · 10.1101/434142

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

Odemer, R.·Odemer, F.
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Abstract

Mobile phones can be found almost everywhere across the globe, upholding a direct point-to-point connection between the device and the broadcast tower. The emission of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMF) puts the surrounding environment inevitably into contact with this pollutant. We have therefore exposed honey bee queen larvae to the radiation of a common mobile phone device (GSM) during all stages of their pre-adult development including pupation. After 14 days of exposure, hatching of adult queens was assessed and mating success after further 11 days, respectively. Moreover, full colonies were established of five of the untreated and four of the treated queens to contrast population dynamics. We found that mobile phone radiation had significantly reduced the hatching ratio but not the mating success. If treated queens were successfully mated, colony development was not adversely affected. We provide evidence that RF-EMF only acts detrimental within the sensitivity of pupal development, once succeeded this point, no further impairment has manifested in adulthood. Our results are discussed against the background of long-lasting consequences for colony performance and the possible implication on periodic colony losses.\n\nHIGHLIGHTSO_LIChronic RF-EMF exposure significantly reduced hatching of honey bee queens\nC_LIO_LIMortalities occurred during pupation, not at the larval stages\nC_LIO_LIMating success was not adversely affected by the irradiation\nC_LIO_LIAfter the exposure, surviving queens were able to establish intact colonies\nC_LI\n\nGRAPHICAL ABSTRACT\n\nO_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=117 SRC=\"FIGDIR/small/434142_ufig1.gif\" ALT=\"Figure 1\">\nView larger version (27K):\norg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@920c50org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@668289org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@42b0corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a6355a_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

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Odemer, R., Odemer, F.. 2018-10-03. Effects of radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMF) on honey bee queen development and mating success. https://doi.org/10.1101/434142

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