Experimental removal of invasive Africanized honey bees increased breeding population size of the endangered Lear's macaw

BACKGROUND Invasive Africanized honey bees potentially compete with cavity‐nesting birds in South America. However, the impacts of this competition and its conservation consequences to threatened species are poorly known. We quantified the presence of these bees and assessed their competition for cl...

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Published in:	Pest management science Vol. 76; no. 12; pp. 4141 - 4149
Main Authors:	Pacífico, Erica C, Efstathion, Caroline A, Filadelfo, Thiago, Horsburgh, Robert, Cunha, Roberta A, Paschotto, Fernanda R, Denes, Francisco V, Gilardi, James, Tella, José L
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01-12-2020 Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
Subjects:	Africanized honey bees Animals Anodorhynchus leari Apis mellifera Beehives Bees biological invasions Brazil Breeding Caatinga Cavity nesting Cliffs Competition Endangered & extinct species Environmental restoration Fipronil Holes Honey Infestation Insecticides Invasive species invasive species eradication Lear's macaw Nesting Nesting Behavior Nests nest‐site competition Parrots Permethrin Pesticides Population Population Density Population number Recolonization Threatened species Wildlife conservation Brazil Lear's macaw Caatinga permethrin fipronil nest-site competition invasive species eradication Africanized honey bees biological invasions
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Summary:	BACKGROUND Invasive Africanized honey bees potentially compete with cavity‐nesting birds in South America. However, the impacts of this competition and its conservation consequences to threatened species are poorly known. We quantified the presence of these bees and assessed their competition for cliff cavities used by nesting Lear's macaws Anodorhynchus leari, a globally endangered parrot endemic to the Caatinga biome of Brazil. We treated beehives with permethrin by shooting them with a crossbow bolt that distributed the compound upon impact. When feasible, we removed the comb and applied an insecticide (fipronil) to deter bee recolonization. We subsequently surveyed the macaw breeding population to verify whether our treatment allowed for nest recruitment in cavities previously occupied by bees. RESULTS We recorded > 100 beehives in the nesting cliffs. Hives outnumbered macaw nests tenfold in two areas recently recolonized by macaws. Cavities occupied by bees were significantly higher than those occupied by macaws, suggesting that macaws may be forced to breed in lower cavities. None of the untreated cavities (n = 50) were occupied by nesting macaws, whereas 15% of treated cavities (n = 52) were occupied within 2 years post treatment. Treated cavities occupied by macaws were significantly higher than those not occupied. Hive management increased macaw breeding population by 71% of the macaw breeding population increase. CONCLUSION Experimental hive treatments were effective in restoring nesting resources lost due to bee infestation. An intensive and continued eradication program is recommended to enhance macaw habitat restoration, facilitating its expansion into historical areas. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry Removal of Africanized honey bees was effective in restoring nesting sites of the Lear's macaw. An intensive eradication program of these invasive bees is recommended to promote the recovery of this globally endangered macaw in Brazil.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	1526-498X 1526-4998
DOI:	10.1002/ps.5972