Data from: Adverse effects of entomopathogenic nematodes on honey bees following foliar application under laboratory conditions
Data files
Jul 14, 2026 version files 97.17 KB
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README.md
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Straub_et_al_STOTEN_Raw_data.xlsx
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Abstract
The need for sustainable crop protection has intensified interest in entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) as biological alternatives to synthetic agrochemicals. However, their potential non-target effects on pollinators remain poorly characterized, and regulatory approvals often rely on limited data. Here, we provide the first demonstration of adverse effects of foliar-applied Steinernema carpocapsae (Nemastar®) on adult honey bees, Apis mellifera. Using a modified regulatory protocol (USEPA 850.3030), adult honey bees and greater wax moth larvae (Galleria mellonella; positive control) were exposed for 96 h to field-realistic low and high EPN doses (0.25-2.5x 106 nematodes m2) under dry and wet application scenarios. Adult honey bee and greater wax moth larvae mortality was recorded daily. Steinernema carpocapsae significantly reduced survival in both species, with the highest mortality under the wet and high-dose conditions. Nematode infestation and proliferation were confirmed in deceased individuals using White traps and standardized counts, revealing species-, dose-, and application-dependent differences. Our results provide novel evidence that foliar application of S. carpocapsae can adversely affect adult honey bees. We recommend restricting foliar applications to nighttime (i.e., post-dawn) to reduce the risk to non-target pollinator exposure. We further emphasize the urgent need for standardized regulatory studies for EPN products to ensure sufficient evidence of environmental safety before approval and widespread use.
https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.08kprr5fw
This Straub_et_al_STOTEN_Raw_data.xlsx file was generated on 2024-03-22 by Dr. Lars Straub
GENERAL INFORMATION
- Title of Dataset: "Straub et al_STOTEN_Raw data.xlsx".
- Author Information
A. Principal Investigator Contact Information
Name: Lars Straub
Institution: Institute of Bee Health, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
Address: Schwarzenburgstrasse 161, 3097 Liebefeld, Bern, Switzerland
Email: lars.straub@unibe.ch - Date of data collection (single date, range, approximate date): 2024
- Geographic location of data collection: The study was performed at the Agroscope Liebefeld Campus, Bern, Switzerland
- Information about funding sources that supported the collection of the data: Support was provided by Agroscope, Switzerland, and the Vinetum Foundation.
DATA & FILE OVERVIEW
- File List: Excel file ("Straub et al_STOTEN_Raw data.xlsx") has three sheets. Sheets 1 (Survival), 2 (Nematodes), and 3 (Dimethoate) have the complete raw data required to repeat all the statistical analyses.
- Relationship between files, if important: Yes, however, all statistical tests can be run independently as all the relevant data is provided per sheet.
- Additional related data collected that was not included in the current data package: None.
- Are there multiple versions of the dataset? No
METHODOLOGICAL INFORMATION
Please see the manuscript for details.
DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR SHEET 1 (Survival):
- Number of variables: 12
- Number of cases/rows: 859
- Variable List:
Specimen: Number of the individuals (i.e., specimen)
Cage: The respective cage in which the bee (specimen) was in
SpeciesName: Species name either Galleria or Apis
Species: Code for species name using numbers (1 = Galleria; 2 = Apis)
Run: Three independent runs of the trial were done.
TreatmentName: This is the name of the respective treatment (Control or EPN)
Treatment: Numeric numbering of treatment
Exposure: Was the specimen exposed to a treatment (i.e., EPN). If yes then coded for 1. If not (control) then coded for 0.
Wet: Application scenario being either dry (0) or wet (1)
Dose: Concentration of EPNS (Control = 0), low (=1) and high (=2)
Age: Age in days of how old the specimen was
Status: Did the individual survive until the end of our experiment (binary response, with 0 being no and 1 being yes)
- Missing data codes: None.
- Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: None.
DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR SHEET 2 (EPN Survival):
- Number of variables: 4
- Number of cases/rows: 73
- Variable List:
Cage: The respective cage in which the bee (specimen) was in
Count: Number of fields counted to assess the Survival rate of nematodes alive
Time [mmin]: Timepoint in minutes at which the Survival Analysis was conducted (i.e., 0, 5 or 10 minutes) post drying of the leaves
Survival [%]: Percentage of alive individuals determined by dividing the number of dead nematodes by the total number of observed nematodes.
- Missing data codes: None.
- Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: None.
DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR SHEET 3 (Nematodes):
- Number of variables: 14
- Number of cases/rows: 400
- Variable List:
Specimen: Number of the individuals (i.e., specimen)
Cage: The respective cage in which the bee (specimen) was in
SpeciesName: Species name either Galleria or Apis
Species: Code for species name using numbers (1 = Galleria; 2 = Apis)
Run: Three independent runs of the trial were done.
TreatmentName: This is the name of the respective treatment (Control or EPN)
Treatment: Numeric numbering of treatment
Exposure: Was the specimen exposed to a treatment (i.e., EPN). If yes then coded for 1. If not (control) then coded for 0.
Wet: Application scenario being either dry (0) or wet (1)
Dose: Concentration of EPNS (Control = 0), low (=1) and high (=2)
Age: Age in days of how old the specimen was
Status: Did the individual survive until the end of our experiment (binary response, with 0 being no and 1 being yes)
Detected: Did the specimen have EPNs present (binary response, with 0 being no and 1 being yes)
Count: How many EPNs were detected in the White trap solution (estimation).
- Missing data codes: None.
- Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: None.
DATA-SPECIFIC INFORMATION FOR SHEET 4 (Dimethoate):
- Number of variables: 10
- Number of cases/rows: 454
- Variable List:
Specimen: Number of the individuals (i.e., specimen)
Cage: The respective cage in which the bee (specimen) was in
SpeciesName: All specimen were Apis
Run: Three independent runs of the trial were done.
TreatmentName: This is the name of the respective treatment (Control or EPN)
Treatment: Numeric numbering of treatment
Exposure: Was the specimen exposed to a treatment (i.e., EPN). If yes then coded for 1. If not (control) then coded for 0.
Wet: Application scenario being either dry (0) or wet (1)
Age: Age in days of how old the specimen was
Status: Did the individual survive until the end of our experiment (binary response, with 0 being no and 1 being yes)
- Missing data codes: None.
- Specialized formats or other abbreviations used: None.