A fungal-based pesticide does not harm pollination service provided by the African stingless bee Meliponula ferruginea on cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

Abstract Stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponini) provide pollination services to crops and produce high–quality honey. The application of agrochemicals during the management crop pests is an increasing threat pollinators ecosystem they provide. Biopesticides are considered as better alternatives; however, there limited evidence their impact on stingless bees. We evaluated effect most widely used African fungal biopesticide ( Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE 69) mortality, foraging behavior success bee Meliponula ferruginea under semi-field conditions. Colonies M. were introduced into four 24 m 2 greenhouse compartments containing blooming cucumber Cucumis sativus ) plants. Cucumber plants sprayed with a suspension alongside sterile 0.05% Triton–100–X (control). experiment was repeated three times different growing seasons. Biopesticide did not significantly affect flight activity, flower visitation, pollen foraging, C. fruit set or yield. Forager acquired high number conidia (7,600 ± 54 /bee) immediately after application; significant decline observed in subsequent days. Conidial persistence viability plant surfaces declined There no correlation between conidial acquisition load by forager (657 29 pollen/bee). This study demonstrates that 69 negatively behaviour success, can therefore be safely bee–dependent systems.