author(s)
Gouri Shankar Giri, Pramod Mall and Renu Pandey

abstract
The present study was carried out at the Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology Pantnagar. Genus Apis is the most studied because of their fascinating and complex lifestyle, communication systems, role as the keystone and the valuable hive products that they produce. Recently a sharp decline in population of Apis mellifera has been observed throughout the World. Among the various factors, the major one is the use of different classes of pesticides, neonicotinoids in particular. Thiamethoxam, a neonicotinoids, is widely used against sucking pest in various crops inluding mustard to which honey bees are attracted largely. The present study tries to find out the possible effect of thiamethoxam on growth, development of Apis mellifera colony. The risk to honey bee colonies in the field was investigated by exposing the colonies to thiamethoxam treated mustard crop at rates recommended for insect control. Throughout the study colony strength, average frame weight, pollen, nectar, brood and capped cell area were found to be lower in colonies exposed to thiamethoxam treated fields as compared to control condition.