National Honey Bee Survey Wax Pesticide Sampling Report

Further sampling summary information can be found at the USDA APHIS National Honey Bee Survey Report page. This report lists the level of detection (LOD) and the prevalence (percentage that the pesticide occurred) in all samples taken across the country as part of wax sampling since 2017. For example, if the prevalence value for a pesticide is given as “10”, the pesticide was detected in 10% of all samples received. Finally, this table also provides the average and the range in ppb (parts per billion) of pesticides found in all of the samples.

Pesticide samples were collected from brood comb wax and processed at the USDA Agriculture Marketing Service (USDA-AMS). Sampling from bee bread was done from 2011 to 2017. From 2017 to present, the pesticide sampling protocol uses wax. Access the bee bread sampling report here.

Table: Prevalence of Pesticides found in all samples (n=1103) analyzed for the National Honey Bee disease survey.

Pesticide Detected LOD (ppb) # Samples Prevalence (%) Average Level (ppb) Level Range
1-Naphthol 50.0-500.0 1083 0.1 430.0 430.0
2,4-DMPF 1.5-25.0 1103 70.5 3044.8 Trace - 258000.0
2,6-Dichlorobenzamide (BAM) 2.0-5.0 1091 2.0 22.6 Trace - 179.0
4-Hydroxychlorothalonil 2.0-10.0 365 0.5 22.0 19.0 - 25.0
4-OH-Chlorothalonil 2.0-5.0 663 0.5 Trace Trace - Trace
Acephate 20.0-250.0 1083 0.1 51.0 51.0
Acetamiprid 2.5-8.0 1103 3.3 10.3 Trace - 19.0
Acetochlor 15.0-100.0 1103 17.9 238.1 Trace - 740.0
Alachlor 15.0-200.0 1103 1.0 151.2 Trace - 240.0
Aldrin 30.0 12 8.3 99.0 99.0
Ametoctradin 1.0-3.0 1091 3.0 10.8 Trace - 70.0
Atrazine 1.0-4.0 1080 24.4 15.5 Trace - 214.0
Azinphos-methyl 250.0 353 1.7 1576.0 Trace - 2670.0
Azoxystrobin 0.8-5.0 1103 52.6 28.4 Trace - 1070.0
Bensulide 2.0-5.0 1071 0.4 9.0 Trace - 9.0
Bifenazate 1.6-15.0 551 3.3 46.7 Trace - 268.0
Bifenthrin 10.0-25.0 1058 1.6 128.3 Trace - 328.0
Boscalid 2.0-10.0 1103 19.0 23.8 Trace - 232.0
Bromacil 4.0-20.0 1103 0.6 14.5 Trace - 17.0
Buprofezin 0.8-60.0 1103 12.5 22.2 Trace - 543.0
Captan 50.0-250.0 1086 1.7 438.8 Trace - 1150.0
Carbaryl 2.0-5.0 1003 6.3 52.9 Trace - 452.0
Carbendazim 2.0-25.0 1091 52.9 111.3 Trace - 2510.0
Carbendazim (MBC) 5.0 12 83.3 39.5 Trace - 130.0
Carbofuran 0.8-10.0 1103 0.3 3.3 2.0 - 4.0
Chlorantraniliprole 5.0-15.0 1103 13.5 29.9 Trace - 151.0
Chlorfenapyr 250.0 353 0.3 Trace Trace*
Chlorfenopyr 5.0-13.0 750 0.3 Trace Trace - Trace
Chlorothalonil 10.0-250.0 1103 33.1 1085.2 Trace - 57400.0
Chlorpropham 6.0-15.0 1091 0.1 Trace Trace*
Chlorpyrifos 5.0 1042 26.1 19.6 Trace - 273.0
Chlorthal-dimethyl 3.0 738 10.7 6.4 Trace - 30.0
Chlorthal-dimethyl (DCPA) 2.0 353 12.2 6.0 Trace - 20.0
Coumaphos 2.0-5.0 1103 82.8 210.1 Trace - 23700.0
Coumaphos oxon 0.4-5.0 1103 53.7 19.1 Trace - 1190.0
Cyantraniliprole 5.0-25.0 1103 0.4 44.0 Trace - 44.0
Cyazofamid 0.8-30.0 1103 0.2 8.0 Trace - 8.0
Cyflufenamid 0.8-13.0 1091 0.1 Trace Trace*
Cymoxanil 1.6-25.0 1091 0.1 Trace Trace*
Cypermethrin 8.0-25.0 1098 0.8 120.0 Trace - 187.0
Cyprodinil 1.0-25.0 1080 34.9 64.7 Trace - 3780.0
Cyromazine 5.0-25.0 365 0.3 Trace Trace*
DDE p,p' 3.0-1000.0 743 15.6 7.0 Trace - 9.0
DDE, p,p' 2.0 293 13.3 17.0 Trace - 18.0
DEET 3.0-13.0 1059 31.8 111.2 Trace - 3850.0
Dichlorvos 2.0-25.0 738 0.1 8.0 8.0
Dichlorvos (DDVP) 3.0-15.0 365 0.3 4.0 4.0
Dicloran 4.0-25.0 1103 1.7 25.7 Trace - 27.0
Dicofol 5.0-250.0 1043 0.2 Trace Trace - Trace
Difenoconazole 1.6-25.0 1103 17.5 14.3 Trace - 129.0
Diflubenzuron 1.0-150.0 1080 12.9 82.2 Trace - 7240.0
Dimethenamid 1.6-10.0 1097 1.8 5.7 Trace - 6.0
Dimethoate 2.0-15.0 1103 1.2 26.6 Trace - 101.0
Diphenylamine 2.0-25.0 1091 12.2 6.0 Trace - 16.0
Diuron 1.0-6.0 1027 40.5 17.7 Trace - 232.0
Endosulfan II 5.0-25.0 1103 0.5 Trace Trace - Trace
Endosulfan sulfate 10.0-25.0 1086 0.1 Trace Trace*
Esfenvalerate 5.0-25.0 750 0.5 22.0 Trace - 22.0
Ethion 4.0-25.0 1103 0.2 Trace Trace - Trace
Ethofenprox 13.0-125.0 738 4.2 Trace Trace - Trace
Etofenprox 5.0-25.0 365 0.3 81.0 81.0
Etoxazole 0.4-125.0 1103 0.9 3.0 Trace - 4.0
Famoxadone 3.0-25.0 1103 0.4 18.0 Trace - 25.0
Fenamidone 1.0-30.0 1103 1.8 3.0 Trace - 4.0
Fenazaquin 0.4-25.0 1103 0.1 2.0 2.0
Fenbuconazole 1.0-25.0 1103 12.9 33.0 Trace - 705.0
Fenhexamid 1.0-30.0 1103 0.4 240.5 9.0 - 770.0
Fenpropathrin 9.0-25.0 1098 0.2 Trace Trace - Trace
Fenpyroximate 1.0-4.0 1103 42.5 64.2 Trace - 4740.0
Fipronil 25.0-50.0 1103 0.1 Trace Trace*
Fipronil sulfide 3.0-5.0 1103 1.4 9.0 Trace - 9.0
Fipronil sulfone 5.0-25.0 1103 0.2 Trace Trace - Trace
Flonicamid 5.0-38.0 1103 0.6 74.0 Trace - 118.0
Fludioxonil 10.0-60.0 1103 10.1 211.0 Trace - 5850.0
Flumeturon 0.8-38.0 738 10.7 7.4 Trace - 81.0
Fluometuron 1.0-40.0 358 0.3 Trace Trace*
Fluopicolide 1.0-10.0 1091 1.1 9.5 Trace - 26.0
Fluopyram 0.8-5.0 1103 27.9 21.2 Trace - 503.0
Fluoxastrobin 0.8-5.0 1103 0.3 6.5 Trace - 10.0
Flupyradifurone 2.0-25.0 1103 2.4 49.6 Trace - 403.0
Fluridone 0.4-5.0 1102 0.1 1.0 1.0
Flutriafol 2.0-10.0 1091 0.2 13.5 9.0 - 18.0
Fluvalinate 1.0-50.0 1103 59.6 1012.8 Trace - 90000.0
Fluxapyroxad 0.8-5.0 1091 19.2 8.5 Trace - 158.0
Hexazinone 0.4-10.0 1103 1.4 1.8 Trace - 3.0
Hexythiazox 0.4-25.0 1103 19.4 3.2 Trace - 26.0
Imazalil 2.0-20.0 1037 0.1 46.0 46.0
Imidacloprid 1.0-6.0 1103 1.0 12.8 Trace - 24.0
Indoxacarb 1.0-30.0 1103 2.9 13.7 Trace - 36.0
Iprodione 10.0-100.0 1103 31.2 255.3 Trace - 3370.0
Kresoxim-methyl 1.0-10.0 1103 0.5 9.0 Trace - 9.0
Linuron 5.0-15.0 1103 0.3 Trace Trace - Trace
MGK-264 7.0-25.0 365 2.7 26.4 Trace - 52.0
Malathion 10.0-50.0 1103 1.3 337.7 Trace - 939.0
Mandipropamide 0.8-10.0 1103 3.8 6.6 Trace - 28.0
Metalaxyl 0.8-13.0 1098 3.3 7.7 Trace - 29.0
Metalaxyl Total 5.0 5 20.0 Trace Trace*
Metconazole 2.0-25.0 1103 2.9 35.8 Trace - 159.0
Methomyl 2.0-25.0 1083 0.1 8.0 8.0
Methoprene 25.0-5000.0 1098 1.7 4975.7 Trace - 6300.0
Methoxyfenozide 0.8-5.0 1103 24.2 28.9 Trace - 1020.0
Metolachlor 5.0-25.0 1103 39.9 72.3 Trace - 521.0
Metribuzin 5.0-2500.0 1103 0.5 Trace Trace - Trace
Mgk-264 2.0-20.0 738 1.8 759.8 Trace - 2450.0
Momfluorothrin 25.0 1091 0.2 28.0 Trace - 28.0
Myclobutanil 3.0-15.0 1103 0.7 58.4 Trace - 129.0
Norflurazon 2.0-15.0 1103 0.6 27.0 Trace - 27.0
Norflurazon Desmethyl 2.0-25.0 738 0.3 11.0 Trace - 11.0
Norflurazon desmethyl 5.0-25.0 365 0.5 Trace Trace - Trace
Novaluron 2.0-30.0 1103 3.4 13.1 Trace - 54.0
Omethoate 5.0-100.0 1080 0.6 1220.3 210.0 - 3350.0
Oxamyl 4.0-20.0 1103 0.1 Trace Trace*
Oxyfluorfen 5.0-100.0 1103 5.6 54.6 Trace - 388.0
Pendimethalin 15.0-50.0 1103 5.2 61.2 Trace - 234.0
Penthiopyrad 0.8-25.0 1080 26.9 13.5 Trace - 203.0
Permethrin 2.0-100.0 1051 1.0 1598.0 Trace - 3360.0
Phenothrin 25.0-100.0 1103 0.4 641.8 497.0 - 941.0
Phosmet 50.0-100.0 1103 0.7 226.0 Trace - 388.0
Picoxystrobin 0.8-25.0 1091 0.8 18.4 Trace - 56.0
Piperonyl Butoxide 1.0-50.0 738 59.1 78.7 Trace - 4660.0
Piperonyl butoxide 12.0-15.0 365 57.3 210.7 Trace - 2620.0
Prallethrin 1.0-250.0 1086 0.8 109.4 17.0 - 415.0
Prodiamine 2.0-100.0 1103 0.4 40.5 Trace - 60.0
Prometon 1.0-13.0 1091 4.9 18.0 Trace - 293.0
Prometryn 1.0-20.0 1091 0.5 8.0 Trace - 8.0
Propachlor 2.0-25.0 1008 0.5 27.4 23.0 - 34.0
Propamocarb hydrochloride 2.0 353 6.2 15.4 Trace - 127.0
Propanil 2.0-10.0 1103 1.5 22.5 Trace - 64.0
Propargite 1.0-25.0 1103 40.4 44.3 Trace - 2710.0
Propiconazole 2.0-15.0 1103 22.3 35.7 Trace - 1050.0
Pyraclostrobin 1.0-5.0 1103 38.8 22.1 Trace - 415.0
Pyridaben 1.0-5.0 1103 3.7 22.1 Trace - 96.0
Pyrimethanil 2.0-250.0 1103 18.5 37.2 Trace - 1080.0
Pyriproxyfen 1.0-5.0 1080 4.7 7.2 Trace - 30.0
Quinoxyfen 0.8-15.0 1103 2.1 4.8 Trace - 15.0
Quintozine 5.0 738 0.1 Trace Trace*
Sethoxydim 1.0-10.0 1103 0.2 16.5 5.0 - 28.0
Simazine 5.0-50.0 1103 0.3 283.0 32.0 - 758.0
Spinetoram 15.0-100.0 320 4.1 16.0 Trace - 16.0
Spinosad 7.0-15.0 320 6.9 22.8 Trace - 40.0
Spirodiclofen 1.6-500.0 1077 5.4 7.8 Trace - 33.0
Spiromesifen 15.0-50.0 1021 0.1 42.0 42.0
Spirotetramat 1.0-30.0 1103 0.6 4.5 Trace - 5.0
Sulfoxaflor 4.0-25.0 1103 0.1 Trace Trace*
THPI 5.0-125.0 1103 0.5 512.3 130.0 - 1880.0
Tebuconazole 5.0-38.0 1103 15.5 44.6 Trace - 201.0
Tebufenozide 0.4-5.0 1102 5.4 16.4 Trace - 196.0
Tetramethrin 5.0-125.0 1103 0.5 10891.8 901.0 - 30600.0
Thiabendazole 2.0-5.0 1103 0.8 32.0 Trace - 38.0
Thiacloprid 1.0-10.0 1103 0.4 15.0 Trace - 15.0
Thiamethoxam 2.0-125.0 1103 0.3 Trace Trace - Trace
Thymol 2.0-50.0 1103 73.0 10969.0 Trace - 1440000.0
Triadimefon 3.0-125.0 1103 0.5 Trace Trace - Trace
Triazophos 0.8-25.0 1091 1.1 3.0 Trace - 4.0
Tribufos 3.0-100.0 1091 0.2 38.5 31.0 - 46.0
Trifloxystrobin 0.4-10.0 1103 38.6 12.5 Trace - 257.0
Triflumizole 0.8-40.0 1053 2.3 5.5 1.0 - 24.0
Trifluralin 2.0-13.0 1103 3.3 19.8 Trace - 27.0
cyhalothrin lambda 10.0-50.0 738 0.7 Trace Trace - Trace

*Only a single detection made for this pesticide.

USDA-AMS tests for a broad spectrum of pesticides deemed possible to discover in honey bee colonies. The list of pesticides changes over time as new pesticides are introduced to market, and others are deemed to be unlikely to detect. Below is the list of all pesticides that have been tested for (n = 301), including substances not detected in any samples.

Mefenoxam,  Esfenvalerate/Fenvalerate,  Chlorpropham,  Carbendazim,  Avermectin,  Tetradiafon,  Quintozine,  Piperonyl Butoxide,  Phosmet Oa,  Parathion,  Norflurazon Desmethyl,  Mgk-264,  Flumeturon,  Ethofenprox,  cyhalothrin lambda,  Chlorthal-dimethyl,  Bentazone,  4-OH-Chlorothalonil,  3-hydroxycarbofuran,  2,4-DMPF,  2,6-Dichlorobenzamide (BAM),  2,4 Dimethylaniline,  4,4 Dibromobenzophenone,  Acrinathrin,  Ametoctradin,  Azinphos-methyl,  Bensulide,  Bentazon,  BHC-alpha,  BHC-beta,  BHC-delta,  BHC-gamma,  Bromopropylate,  Carfentrazone-ethyl,  Chlorfenapyr,  Chlorothalonil-4-OH,  Chlorthal-dimethyl (DCPA),  Chlorferone,  Cyflufenamid,  Cyflumetofen,  Cyhalothrin,  Cymiazole,  Cymoxanil,  DDD pp',  DDT, p,p',  DEET,  Dichlorvos,  DDE, p,p',  Diphenylamine,  Alpha-endosulfan,  Beta-endosulfan,  Fenvalerate,  Fenoxaprop-p-ethyl,  Endosulfan sulfate,  Fluopicolide,  Flutriafol,  Fluxapyroxad,  Hexachlorobenzene,  Imidacloprid-5-hydroxy,  Isoprocarb,  Momfluorothrin,  Penconazole,  Penthiopyrad,  Permethrin,  Cispermethrin,  Acetamiprid,  Transpermethrin,  Phosmet oxon,  Picoxystrobin,  Pirimiphos-methyl,  Prometon,  Prometryn,  Propamocarb hydrochloride,  Pyrethrins (cinerin I),  Quintozene,  Resmethrin,  Resmethrin, cis,  Resmethrin, trans,  Spinosyn A,  Spinosyn D,  Tetrachlorvinphos (Dietreen T),  THPI,  Triazophos,  Tribufos,  1-Naphthol,  2,4 Dimethylphenyl formamide (DMPF),  3-Hydroxycarbofuran,  4-Aminopyridine,  4-Hydroxychlorothalonil,  Abamectin,  Acephate,  Fenarimol,  Acetochlor,  Alachlor,  Aldicarb,  Aldicarb sulfone,  Aldicarb sulfoxide,  Aldrin,  Allethrin,  Amicarbazone,  Amitraz,  Clofentezine,  Atrazine,  Atrazine CEAT,  Atrazine CIAT,  Azinphos methyl,  Azoxystrobin,  BHC alpha,  Bendiocarb,  Benfluralin,  Benoxacor,  Bifenazate,  Bifenthrin,  Boscalid,  Bromacil,  Bromuconazole,  Buprofezin,  Captan,  Carbaryl,  Famoxadone,  Carbendazim (MBC),  Carbofuran,  Carboxin,  Carfentrazone ethyl,  Chlorantraniliprole,  Chlorfenopyr,  Chlorfenvinphos,  Chlorothalonil,  Chlorpropham (CIPC),  Chlorpyrifos,  Chlorpyrifos methyl,  Clothianidin,  Coumaphos,  Coumaphos oxon,  Cyantraniliprole,  Cyazofamid,  Cyfluthrin,  Cyfluthrin total,  Cyhalothrin total,  Cypermethrin,  Cypermethrin total,  Cyphenothrin,  Cyprodinil,  Cyromazine,  DDD p,p',  DDT o,p',  DDT p,p',  Deltamethrin,  Fenamidone,  Diazinon,  Diazinon oxon,  Dichlorvos (DDVP),  Diclofop-methyl,  Dicloran,  Dicofol,  Dieldrin,  Difenoconazole,  Diflubenzuron,  Dimethenamid,  Dimethoate,  Dimethomorph,  Dinotefuran,  Diphenamid,  Diuron,  Emamectin Benzoate,  Endosulfan I,  Endosulfan II,  Endrin,  Epoxiconazole,  Esfenvalerate,  Ethalfluralin,  Ethion,  Ethofumesate,  Etofenprox,  Etoxazole,  Etridiazole,  Fenazaquin,  Fenbuconazole,  Fenhexamid,  Fenoxaprop-ethyl,  Fenpropathrin,  Fenpyroximate,  Fenthion,  Fipronil,  Fipronil sulfide,  Fipronil sulfone,  Flonicamid,  Flubendiamide,  Fludioxonil,  Fluometuron,  Fluopyram,  Fluoxastrobin,  Flupyradifurone,  Fluridone,  Flutolanil,  Fluvalinate,  Formetanate,  Heptachlor,  Heptachlor epoxide,  Hexachlorobenzene (HCB),  Hexazinone,  Hexythiazox,  Hydroprene,  Hydroxychlorothalonil,  Imazalil,  Imidacloprid,  Imidacloprid 5-hydroxy,  Imidacloprid olefin,  Indoxacarb,  Iprodione,  Kresoxim-methyl,  Lindane,  Linuron,  MGK-264,  MGK-326,  Malathion,  Mandipropamide,  Mesotrione,  Metalaxyl,  Metalaxyl Total,  Metconazole,  Methamidophos,  Methidathion,  Methiocarb,  Methomyl,  Methoprene,  Methoxyfenozide,  Metolachlor,  Metribuzin,  Myclobutanil,  Naled,  Norflurazon,  Norflurazon desmethyl,  Novaluron,  Omethoate,  Oxamyl,  Oxyfluorfen,  Paradichlorobenzene,  Parathion ethyl,  Parathion methyl,  Pendimethalin,  Permethrin total,  Phenothrin,  Phorate,  Phosalone,  Phosmet,  Phosmet OA,  Piperonyl butoxide,  Pirimiphos methyl,  Potasan,  Prallethrin,  Prodiamine,  Profenofos,  Pronamide,  Propachlor,  Propanil,  Propargite,  Propazine,  Propetamphos,  Propham,  Propiconazole,  Prothioconazole,  Pymetrozine,  Pyraclostrobin,  Pyrethrins,  Thiamethoxam,  Pyridaben,  Pyrimethanil,  Pyriproxyfen,  Quinoxyfen,  Quintozene (PCNB),  Resmethrin total,  Sethoxydim,  Simazine,  Spinetoram,  Spinosad,  Spirodiclofen,  Spiromesifen,  Spirotetramat,  Sulfoxaflor,  Tebuconazole,  Tebufenozide,  Tebuthiuron,  Tefluthrin,  Tetrachlorvinphos,  Tetraconazole,  Tetradifon,  Tetramethrin,  Thiabendazole,  Thiacloprid,  Thymol,  Tolfenpyrad,  Triadimefon,  Triadimenol,  Tribufos (DEF),  Trifloxystrobin,  Triflumizole,  Trifluralin,  Triticonazole,  Vinclozolin,  DDE p,p', 


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