Studying the combined effects of a neonicotinoid–fungicide mixture on honey bee colonies across landscapes with varying levels of agricultural land.

The effect of a plant protection product (PPP) mixture on honey bee colonies across landscapes with varying levels of agricultural land was tested. Four treatments were applied: control: no PPPs, fungicide: Cantus(R) Gold (non-SBI fungicide), insecticide: Mospilan(R) (neonicotinoid), mixture: fungicide + insecticide. The proportion of agricultural land within 2 km of the colonies ranged from 43% to 97% annual cropland.

Colony assessments (brood and honey area on combs) were conducted every 12 days (1_colony assessment.xlsx). Colony weight change during colony assessment intervals was calculated from a dataset of weight measured every five minutes with individual digital beehive scales (2_colony weight change.xlsx). Foraged pollen weight and diversity (Shannon Index) was taken every three days (3_pollen weight.xlsx and 4_shannon index.xlsx). For the analysis of relationships between colony assessments, pollen weight, and pollen diversity, the latter two variables were calculated to match the colony assessment periods (5_colony assessment, pollen weight, shannon index.xlsx).