Effects of high-voltage transmission lines on honey bees
Data are reported on the effect of hive height and current distribution on honey bees hived under a 765 kV line (E-field ca. 7 kV/m). Hive height was standardized with adjustable collectors to 1 meter (59 ..mu..A total hive current) or 1.5 meter (85 ..mu..A) equivalents; controls were shielded. A 1.5 meter group with completely painted supers was included. After 8 or 16 weeks of exposure there was no effect on honey moisture content or weight of young workers in any group. Worker capped brood was not affected in 1 m hives but declined significantly in 1.5 m hives after 4 weeks of exposure and this was associated with queen loss, abnormal queen cell production, and colony failure. Weight gain was depressed in all hives after 2 weeks of exposure and was dose related, with the taller hives more severely affected. Only the exposed hives propolized entrances but the amount and time of onset were not dose related. The 1.5 m hives with painted interiors behaved like the 1 m hives with unpainted interiors in all respects, although their total hive current approximated the other group of 1.5 m hives. Reversal of treatments at midseason resulted in reversal of colony behavior, manifested most clearly with respect to hive weight, less with respect to brood. When first exposed, colonies exhibit pronounced but transient elevations in hive temperature. Bio-effects were more severe during the first period when hives had fewer bees. Total hive current was greater in wet than in dry periods. All these factors influence observed bioeffects.
- Research Organization:
- Bioconcern, Inc., Chicago, IL (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 6459459
- Report Number(s):
- EPRI-EA-1809
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Effects of high-voltage transmission lines on honeybees
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Related Subjects
60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ELECTRIC FIELDS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
INSECTS
BEHAVIOR
POWER TRANSMISSION LINES
DOSE-RESPONSE RELATIONSHIPS
REPRODUCTION
WEIGHT
ANIMALS
ARTHROPODS
INVERTEBRATES
560400* - Other Environmental Pollutant Effects
553000 - Agriculture & Food Technology
550100 - Behavioral Biology