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Beekeepers commonly supplement honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies' nutrition with commercial pollen and nectar substitutes in an effort to encourage growth and reduce colony losses. However, there is a broad lack of understanding regarding the extent to which supplemental protein feeding affects honey bee colony health. We conducted a field study to determine if feeding protein substitutes affected colony strength and Nosema spp. spore intensity in commercially managed honey bee colonies. Seventy-five honey bee colonies were randomly assigned to one of six treatments (no supplemental protein, one of four commercially available protein supplements, or wildflower pollen supplement). The number of adult bees, the number of capped brood cells, and Nosema intensity were assessed prior to-, 4 wk post-, and 8 wk post-treatment. There was an overall decrease in Nosema intensity across all treatments over time. However, there were no statistically detectable differences in colony strength or Nosema intensity between any of the pollen feeding treatments and those of the negative control treatment. Thus far, multiple investigations regarding supplemental protein feeding have failed to provide a clear consensus on the impact that this practice has on honey bee colony strength or productivity. Additional research is needed to determine the impact, if any, that diet supplementation, including microbial and nutritional supplements, has on colony health, to better inform beekeepers' management decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The effects of chronic exposure to two neonicotinoids (clothianidin and imidacloprid) and two organophosphates (chlorpyrifos and dimethoate) on survival, developmental rate and larval weight of honey bee larvae reared in vitro were determined. Diets containing chemicals were fed to larvae with the range of concentrations for each compound based on published acute toxicity experiments and residues found in pollen and nectar, both components of the larval diet. RESULTS: Four concentrations of each compound and controls were tested: chlorpyrifos: 0.5, 0.8, 1.2, 8 mg/L; clothianidin: 0.1, 0.4, 2, 10 mg L−1; dimethoate: 0.02, 1, 6, 45 mg L−1; imidacloprid: 0.4, 2, 4, 10 mg L−1; positive control: dimethoate (45 mg L−1); solvent control: acetone or methanol; and negative control. A significant decrease in survival, relative to the solvent control, occurred in the 0.8, 1.2 and 8 mg L−1 chlorpyrifos, 0.4, 2 and 10 mg L−1 clothianidin, and 45 mg L−1 dimethoate diets, but not the imidacloprid diets. CONCLUSION: The treatment of larval diets with clothianidin, dimethoate and imidacloprid did not affect survival, developmental rate, or weight of immature honey bees; however, treatment with chlorpyrifos did. Overall, our results are valuable for evaluating the chronic toxicity of these pesticides to developing honey bees. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry This paper tests the effects of chronic exposure to two neonicotinoids (clothianidin and imidacloprid) and two organophosphates (chlorpyrifos and dimethoate) for honey bee larvae using in vitro rearing method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To describe the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceptions about Zika in women of childbearing age (WCA) in the department of Amazonas in Peru, following a Zika outbreak. Materials and methods. Descriptive study with a mixed quantitative-qualitative approach. We carried out stratified sampling, by applying a survey to a sample of 723 WCA aged 15 to 49 years in the district of Bagua, department of Amazonas, then we carried out four focus groups with 35 WCA in each group. Frequencies and the grounded theory were used for quantitative and qualitative analysis respectively. Interpretation of both methods was integrated using a narrative approach. Results. We found that 86.3% of WCA knew that it is possible to get sick with Zika, 10.1% knew that it is transmitted through sexual intercourse, 2.2% knew that it can be transmitted during pregnancy and 68.5% consider that the information is insufficient. In practice, 60% (n=434) used mosquito nets, 53.4% (n=386) covered water containers and 7.3% (n=4) perceived local government involvement. Qualitative data showed distrust of vector control and expressed the need for psychological support for pregnant women and their families. Conclusions. There are gaps in the knowledge and practices of WCA regarding the prevention of sexual and vertical transmission of Zika; WCA distrust vector control, do not perceive local government involvement, suggest psychological support should be provided to pregnant women with Zika, as well as to mothers with disabled children, and wish to access more information about Zika. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To describe the knowledge, attitudes, practices, and perceptions about Zika in women of childbearing age (WCA) in the department of Amazonas in Peru, following a Zika outbreak. Materials and methods. Descriptive study with a mixed quantitative-qualitative approach. We carried out stratified sampling, by applying a survey to a sample of 723 WCA aged 15 to 49 years in the district of Bagua, department of Amazonas, then we carried out four focus groups with 35 WCA in each group. Frequencies and the grounded theory were used for quantitative and qualitative analysis respectively. Interpretation of both methods was integrated using a narrative approach. Results. We found that 86.3% of WCA knew that it is possible to get sick with Zika, 10.1% knew that it is transmitted through sexual intercourse, 2.2% knew that it can be transmitted during pregnancy and 68.5% consider that the information is insufficient. In practice, 60% (n=434) used mosquito nets, 53.4% (n=386) covered water containers and 7.3% (n=4) perceived local government involvement. Qualitative data showed distrust of vector control and expressed the need for psychological support for pregnant women and their families. Conclusions. There are gaps in the knowledge and practices of WCA regarding the prevention of sexual and vertical transmission of Zika; WCA distrust vector control, do not perceive local government involvement, suggest psychological support should be provided to pregnant women with Zika, as well as to mothers with disabled children, and wish to access more information about Zika. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]