Copper sulfate found to be toxic to stingless bees

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-04/esoa-csf041116.php

Public Release: 11-Apr-2016
Copper sulfate found to be toxic to stingless bees
Entomological Society of America

Copper sulfate has been used in agriculture since the 1800s, at least. In the U.S. it is widely used as a fungicide on organic and conventional crops, and it is also found in some fertilizer products.

A new study from the Federal University of Vicosa in Brazil has found that copper sulfate, when used as a leaf fertilizer, is lethal to the native Brazilian bee known as Friesella schrottkyi. In addition, the study, which was published in the Journal of Economic Entomology, found that sublethal exposure also affected the bee's behavior.

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