Systemic Insecticide – Effect on Pollinators in Crapemyrtle

Q: Will honeybees be affected if I apply a systemic insecticide to my crapemyrtle to control aphids? 

A: Crapemyrtle flowers don’t contain nectar, so the effect on bees is minimal. However, other pollinators visit crapemyrtle flowers to feed on pollen. Native bees and other beneficial insects use the pollen to feed their offspring. Although it is possible to detect systemic insecticide in plant pollen, that does not mean it hurts insects in such low concentrations.

I’m comfortable recommending systemic insecticide in this situation but you can also choose to do nothing.

Pollinators Rely on Crapemyrtle

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