Innovative lateral flow devices for the detection of pesticides harmful to bees

Conventional instrumental detection of pesticides is complex and time-consuming, and is not realistic at the Point Of Need. In the B-GOOD project, we applied a dual channel lateral flow device (LFD) that is able to detect six out of eight neonicotinoids based on monoclonal antibody interaction and found that these LFDs have strong potential for field application. Additionally, WFSR has developed a LFD prototype that detects fipronil, a pesticide which was responsible for the recent death of hundred-thousands of honey bees in the Netherlands. Other LFDs, for the detection of bee-harming pesticides are also under development. In the near future, B-GOOD is interested in applying the developed LFDs at the point of need.