Daniel Schmehl

Advisers: Dr. Jim Frazier and Dr. Jim Tumlinson

I am researching the sublethal effects of pesticides on honey bee (Apis mellifera) behavior To date, our lab has found 110 different pesticides and pesticide metabolites in the hive, including insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, and insect growth regulators. However it is unclear exactly what impact these pesticides have on honeybee health. There is little known about how various classes of pesticides interact with one another within the hive and on the flower, and in turn affect honey bee health. In addition to chronic and acute toxicity bioassays on adult honey bees, I am using the proboscis extension response (PER) in order to measure acquisition and retention time of the honey bee in response to pesticide exposure.

In addition, I am interested in wild bee pollinators- specifically Osmia cornifrons, or the horn faced bee. I am currently mapping out the ultrastructure of the antennal sensilla in the male and female and comparing this to what is known for the ultrastructure of the honey bee, Apis mellifera.