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Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America logoLink to Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
. 1980 Oct;77(10):5631–5633. doi: 10.1073/pnas.77.10.5631

Ambient air concentration of sulfur dioxide affects flight activity in bees

M E Ginevan *,, D D Lane ‡,§, L Greenberg *
PMCID: PMC350122  PMID: 16592891

Abstract

Three long-term (16-29 days) low-level (0.14-0.28 ppm) sulfur dioxide fumigations showed that exposure to this gas has deleterious effects on male sweat bees (Lasioglossum zephrum). Although effects on mortality were equivocal, flight activity was definitely reduced. Because flight is necessary for successful mating behavior, the results suggest that sulfur dioxide air pollution could adversely affect this and doubtless other terrestrial insects.

Keywords: air pollution, insects

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