Detection of the phototoxic dye phloxine B in \u3ci\u3eAnastrepha ludens\u3c/i\u3e (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae), \u3ci\u3eApis mellifera\u3c/i\u3e Linnaeus (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and honey
A spectrophotometric method for detection of phloxine B, a phototoxic dye proposed as a replacement for malathion bait sprays, in extracted tissues of Anastrepha ludens, Apis mellifera and in honey was developed. Dye detection was increased with a pH change from 6 to 13.7 in tissues or from 3.7 to 8 in honey with 2% sodium hydroxide. An LC 50 of 29.62 ppm phloxine B in 30% sucrose was obtained by feeding honey bees. A predictive model for dye in insect tissues and honey was developed and shown to be 89–92% effective. This study provides a forensic approach to determine if bees were killed or honey was contaminated by phloxine B sprays
