Abstract
Wind energy is considered as one of the most promising renewable energy sources. However the growth in wind farms over the last few years raises questions about the possible effects on ecosystems. The widely documented impacts on birds and bats have garnered much attention. On the other hand, few studies exist concerning the impact on insects, and notably pollinators, despite the essential pollination services they provide for food production and plant biodiversity. We evaluated the effects of wind turbines on the honey bee via young mated queen egg-laying activity, colony weight gain, and bee behavior at the colony level, and on the homing ability of foragers at the individual level. Our results did not show an impact of wind turbines on forager mortality or on the reproductive caste during mating flights, nor an alteration of the orientation of foragers returning to the hive. We also did not observe a disruptive effect on the behavior, development or functioning of the colonies. Our results, under the described experimental conditions, reveal new information that would support an absence of impact of wind turbines on honey bee colonies.