What pesticide formulation is known to be the most harmful to honeybees?

The micro-encapsulated formulation is known to be particularly harmful to honeybees due to its design. Micro-encapsulation protects the active ingredient by enclosing it in a polymer coating, which allows for a slow release of the pesticide over time. This prolonged exposure can be more toxic to non-target species such as honeybees. Because the encapsulated particles can be small enough to be mistaken for pollen, honeybees may inadvertently ingest these particles while foraging, leading to potential toxicity. Additionally, the timing of application with micro-encapsulated formulations can also coincide with the foraging activities of bees, increasing the risk of exposure.

Other formulations may also pose risks to honeybees, but the specific slow-release and ingestion risks associated with micro-encapsulated products elevate their danger relative to the others mentioned. Granular, liquid concentrate, and emulsified formulations have different modes of action and exposure risks, which can vary based on the method of application, environmental conditions, and the specific pesticide used, making them generally less harmful in direct terms to honeybees compared to micro-encapsulated formulations.