Earth’s magnetic field (MF) plays an important role for many species, including the honeybee, in navigation. Nowadays, much larger alternating fields are emitted by miscellaneous electric infrastructure components, such as transformers and power lines, and the environment is therefore polluted by an anthropogenic electromagnetic field, though little is known regarding its impact on living organisms. The behavior of animals is the first and easiest way to establish the impact of stress. It shows if the animal can detect the exposure and react to it. To investigate this, one-day-old bees were exposed to a 50 Hz magnetic field of induction at 1 mT and 1.7 mT for 10 min, 1 h, and 3 h under laboratory conditions. All groups exposed to the magnetic field showed differences in behavioral patterns. What is more, they presented a behavior absent in the control: loss of balance. There were differences, both in the ratio of behaviors and in the number of bouts—exposed bees more often changed behavior. Occurrence of differences is an indication of the reaction of the honeybee organism to the magnetic field. Loss of balance is a disturbing symptom, and behavior changes indicate a disturbance of the honeybee by the electromagnetic field.

The honey bee is an important pollinator. In the environment, it can be exposed to many harmful factors, such as pesticides. Nowadays, attention is paid to evaluating the potentially harmful effects of these substances. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of worst-case environmental concentrations of pesticide mixtures on honey bee survival and selected physiological markers (the activity of ALT, AST, ALP, and GGTP, and the concentration of albumin, creatinine, urea, and uric acid). Pesticides of three different groups (insecticide—acetamiprid, herbicide—glyphosate, and fungicide—tebuconazole) and their mixtures were resolved in 50% (w/v) sucrose solution and given to bees ad libitum. After 24 h, hemolymph was collected. All mixtures caused higher mortality than single pesticides. Pesticides in mixtures caused disturbances in biochemical markers, and in some cases the interaction between pesticides was synergistic. The mixtures had individual effects on physiology, and the results were sensitive to changes in proportions.

EM-fields come from both natural and anthropogenic sources. This study aimed to investigate changes in honeybee behavior parameters under the influence of an electric field at 50 Hz and variable intensity. Bees were exposed for 1 h, 3 h, or 6 h to the following artificial E-field intensities: 5.0 kV/m, 11.5 kV/m, 23.0 kV/m, or 34.5 kV/m. Bees in the control group were under the influence of an E-field <2.0 kV/m. Six basic behaviors were selected for bee observation (walking, grooming, flight, stillness, contact between individuals, and wing movement). Our research shows the impact of bee exposure time on behavioral change within groups. Exposure for 3 h caused a decrease in the time that bees spent on behaviors and in the number of occurrences. After 6 h, the parameters increased within the groups, as was the case with 1 h exposure. This may indicate that there is a behavioral barrier that allows the pattern to normalize for some time.

The honey bee obtains food from bee forage, which comprises crops grown in multi-hectare agricultural fields where various types of plant protection products such as pesticides are used. Some of these negatively affect the honey bee organism. In our research, we aimed to evaluate the effects of three pesticide groups: fungicides (tebuconazole), insecticides (acetamiprid), herbicides (glyphosate), and their mixtures on the functioning of honey bee workers (A. mellifera carnica). Pesticides in various proportions and dilutions were added to sugar syrups and then fed to the bees. Mortality and food intake were recorded daily, while hemolymph analysis was performed after seven days of exposure. Food intake, mortality, and the results of various biochemical analyses differed between the experimental group and the control group receiving untreated sugar syrup. PPP’s mixture of glyphosate tebuconazole and acetamiprid is more toxic to bees than single pesticides. Certain protection products such as pesticides can disrupt the antioxidant and detoxification systems associated with immunity in honey bees. Consequently, honey bees experience weaker conditions and their proper functioning deteriorates. The results obtained from biochemical changes provide a basis for field studies.

Nosemosis is one of the most widespread honeybee diseases. Its epidemical state can be determined as panzootic. The infectious agents are the microsporidia Nosema apis and N. ceranae. Numerous substances and preparations were tested in order to find a way to combat this disease. However, methodology used in artificial infection experiments is not unique; concentrations of N. ceranae spores in inoculum vary as well as the age of honey bees when they are infected. In addition, the disease itself is still relatively poorly understood. This makes the interpretation of such research difficult. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of bee age and inoculum concentration on the development of N. ceranae infection. Honeybee workers were collectively infected at the age of 2 and 10 days post-emergence with concentrations of 10⁴, 5 × 10⁴, and 10⁵ spores/bee. While the results indicate a significant effect of both tested factors on the development of N. ceranae, the relationship is not simple, and age alters the pattern of nosemosis development in response to the given concentrations.

The aim of our research was to compare the levels of pollution in different habitats based on the concentrations of heavy metals found in pollen and the organisms of Osmia bicornis L. bees in three habitats: orchards, berry plantations, and urban habitats (near by power plant, landfill, residential areas, and heavy vehicle traffic). The concentration of Ag, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were determined. Samples were quantified using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS), with evaluations being carried out three times for each sample. Bee nests were also analyzed concerning reproduction and the presence of parasites. There were no significant differences in the content of heavy metals Ag, Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn in pollen samples between the three habitat types. Bee samples differed only in their Zn content, which was significantly higher in orchards (2.67 mg/kg) than urban habitats (0.80 mg/kg) and berry plantation (0.94 mg/kg). Habitat type had no effect on most bee reproductive parameters (percentage of occupied nest tubes, population growth). Our results show that bees pollinating crops in, for example orchards or berry plantations are exposed to heavy metals to a similar extent to those urban areas.