This collection includes most of the ASU Theses and Dissertations from 2011 to present. ASU Theses and Dissertations are available in downloadable PDF format; however, a small percentage of items are under embargo. Information about the dissertations/theses includes degree information, committee members, an abstract, supporting data or media.
In addition to the electronic theses found in the ASU Digital Repository, ASU Theses and Dissertations can be found in the ASU Library Catalog.
Dissertations and Theses granted by Arizona State University are archived and made available through a joint effort of the ASU Graduate College and the ASU Libraries. For more information or questions about this collection contact or visit the Digital Repository ETD Library Guide or contact the ASU Graduate College at gradformat@asu.edu.
Pollinator populations globally have declined at concerning rates in recent years, which is problematic given that roughly a third of all food production depends on them. Managed honey bee colony losses in particular have alarmed beekeepers and scientists, especially in the United States. Widespread agrochemical use has been implicated as…
Pollinator populations globally have declined at concerning rates in recent years, which is problematic given that roughly a third of all food production depends on them. Managed honey bee colony losses in particular have alarmed beekeepers and scientists, especially in the United States. Widespread agrochemical use has been implicated as one of the major causes of these colony losses. While the lethal effects of agrochemicals often receive the most attention, sublethal effects can occur at lower doses and can substantially weaken colonies over time. Impaired associative learning ability is a sublethal effect of a number of agrochemicals, and is particularly concerning, as it may hinder the abilities of bees to forage for food or find their way back to the colony. Here, I focus on the fungicide Pristine® (active ingredients: 25.2% boscalid, 12.8% pyraclostrobin), which is sprayed on honey bee-pollinated crops during bloom and is known to poison bee mitochondria at ppm levels. First, I show that Pristine® impairs performance on an associative learning assay in the laboratory. Next, I show that Pristine® alters carbohydrate absorption in honey bees, providing a possible mechanism underlying this impaired learning performance. Finally, I demonstrate that Pristine® interacts with high temperatures to induce homing failure in exposed bees. My results raise concerns that this common fungicide may not be safe for pollinators and will be relevant to policymakers as they make decisions surrounding the regulation of fungicide use in agriculture.
