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de Souza AR, Bernardes RC, Barbosa WF, Dos Santos Araújo R, Martins GF, Lima MAP. A mixture of mesotrione and atrazine harms adults and larvae of the predatory wasp Polistes satan. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 923:171526. [PMID: 38458447 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Herbicides have been intensively used for weed control, raising concerns about their potentially adverse effects on non-target organisms. Research on the effects of these common agrochemicals on beneficial insects and the ecosystem services they provide (e.g., predation and pollination) is scarce. Therefore, we tested whether a commercial formulation comprising a mixture of mesotrione and atrazine was detrimental to adult females and larvae of the Neotropical predatory social wasp Polistes satan, which is an effective natural enemy of crop pests. Wasps were individually fed syrups contaminated with different concentrations of the herbicide above and below the maximum label rate (MLR = 12 mL/L). Survival was assessed. The locomotor activity, immune response, and midgut morphology of adults as well as the immune response of the larvae were also studied. Herbicide concentrations far above the MLR (12, 40, and 100 times) caused adult mortality, whereas lower concentrations (0.5, 1, and 6 times) did not. Herbicide exposure at 0.5 to 12 times the MLR increased adult activity. Adult exposure at 0.1 or 0.5 times the MLR did not affect melanotic encapsulation of foreign bodies but led to changes in the morphology of the midgut epithelium and peritrophic matrix. In larvae, the ingestion of herbicide at 0.1 or 0.2 times the MLR (corresponding to 9.6 and 19.2 ng of herbicide per individual) did not cause mortality but decreased their melanization-encapsulation response. Increased locomotor activity in herbicide-exposed adults can affect their foraging activity. The altered midgut morphology of adults coupled with the decreased immune response in larvae caused by herbicide exposure at realistic concentrations can increase the susceptibility of wasps to infections. Therefore, herbicides are toxic to predatory wasps.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Rodrigues de Souza
- Departamento de Biologia, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Renan Dos Santos Araújo
- Istituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Campus Universitário do Araguaia, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Pontal do Araguaia, MT, Brazil
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Paula MCD, Batista NR, Cunha DADS, Santos PGD, Antonialli-Junior WF, Cardoso CAL, Simionatto E. Impacts of the insecticide thiamethoxam on the native stingless bee Plebeia catamarcensis (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Meliponini). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 339:122742. [PMID: 37839683 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Agricultural production and the indiscriminate use of insecticides such as thiamethoxam have put at risk the biodiversity and ecosystem services provided by bees, including native stingless species. Since most of the native species do not present economic importance, they may suffer "silent extinction", due to lack of monitoring of their colonies. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the lethal and sublethal concentrations of the insecticide thiamethoxam, with evaluation of its sublethal effects on mobility, in the stingless bee Plebeia catamarcensis (Holmberg, 1903). Foraging bees were collected and exposed to thiamethoxam to determine lethal (LC50) and sublethal concentrations. The 24 h LC50 was 0.408 ng a.i./μL, a value demonstrating that this species may be as sensitive as other stingless bees already studied. Sublethal concentrations influenced the locomotion abilities of the bees, making them hyperactive when exposed to LC50/10 and lethargic when exposed to LC50/100. The effects of sublethal concentrations on individuals may have collective consequences, especially in colonies with few individuals, as is the case of P. catamarcensis. The findings reinforce the hypothesis that thiamethoxam may contribute to the decline of native stingless bees, which can be significantly impacted when chronically exposed to agricultural production systems that use this insecticide, consequently affecting the ecosystem services provided by these bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michele Castro de Paula
- Laboratório de Óleos e Extratos (LAPOEX), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais (PGRN), Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS), CEP, 79950-000, Naviraí, MS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais (PGRN), Centro de Estudos em Recursos Naturais (CERNA), Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS), PC 351, CEP, 79804-970, Dourados, MS, Brazil.
| | - Nathan Rodrigues Batista
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental (LABECO), Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS), CP 351, CEP, 79804-970, Dourados, MS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Entomologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD), PC 533, CEP, 79804-970, Dourados, MS, Brazil.
| | - Dayana Alves da Silva Cunha
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais (PGRN), Centro de Estudos em Recursos Naturais (CERNA), Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS), PC 351, CEP, 79804-970, Dourados, MS, Brazil; Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental (LABECO), Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS), CP 351, CEP, 79804-970, Dourados, MS, Brazil.
| | - Poliana Galvão Dos Santos
- Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental (LABECO), Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS), CP 351, CEP, 79804-970, Dourados, MS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Entomologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD), PC 533, CEP, 79804-970, Dourados, MS, Brazil.
| | - William Fernando Antonialli-Junior
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais (PGRN), Centro de Estudos em Recursos Naturais (CERNA), Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS), PC 351, CEP, 79804-970, Dourados, MS, Brazil; Laboratório de Ecologia Comportamental (LABECO), Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS), CP 351, CEP, 79804-970, Dourados, MS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Entomologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD), PC 533, CEP, 79804-970, Dourados, MS, Brazil.
| | - Claudia Andrea Lima Cardoso
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais (PGRN), Centro de Estudos em Recursos Naturais (CERNA), Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS), PC 351, CEP, 79804-970, Dourados, MS, Brazil.
| | - Euclésio Simionatto
- Laboratório de Óleos e Extratos (LAPOEX), Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais (PGRN), Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS), CEP, 79950-000, Naviraí, MS, Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Recursos Naturais (PGRN), Centro de Estudos em Recursos Naturais (CERNA), Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS), PC 351, CEP, 79804-970, Dourados, MS, Brazil.
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Araújo RDS, Viana TA, Botina LL, Bastos DSS, da Silva Alves BC, Machado-Neves M, Bernardes RC, Martins GF. Investigating the effects of mesotrione/atrazine-based herbicide on honey bee foragers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 898:165526. [PMID: 37451454 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
A mixture of the herbicides mesotrione and atrazine (Calaris®) is a widely used herbicide in agriculture in several countries. However, the possible toxicological effects of this formulation on non-target organisms require investigation. In this study, the effects of acute oral exposure to Calaris® were evaluated in Apis mellifera foragers. The effect of seven different concentrations of Calaris® on survival and sucrose consumption was studied, while the recommended concentration for field use (FC) and its 10× dilution (0.1 FC) were used to assess overall locomotor activity, respiratory rate, flight, midgut morphology, oxidative and nitrosative stresses, and hemocyte counting. The exposure to FC or 0.1 FC decreased locomotor activity and induced damage to the midgut epithelium. Additionally, the two tested concentrations reduced superoxide dismutase activity, nitric oxide levels, and total hemocyte count. FC also increased malondialdehyde content and 0.1 FC increased respiratory rate and decreased the proportion of prohemocytes. Overall, our findings evidenced significant harmful effects on A. mellifera foragers resulting from the ingestion of the Calaris® herbicide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renan Dos Santos Araújo
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, 78698-000 Pontal do Araguaia, MT, Brazil.
| | - Thaís Andrade Viana
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-000 Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
| | - Lorena Lisbetd Botina
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-000 Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
| | | | | | - Mariana Machado-Neves
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-000 Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
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Ferreira LMN, Hrncir M, de Almeida DV, Bernardes RC, Lima MAP. Effects of acephate and glyphosate-based agrochemicals on the survival and flight of Plebeia lucii Moure, 2004 (Apidae: Meliponini). ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2023; 32:926-936. [PMID: 37728837 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-023-02698-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
The conservation of terrestrial ecosystems depends largely on the preservation of pollinators, mainly bees. Stingless bees are among the main pollinators of native plants and crops in tropical regions, where they can be exposed to agrochemicals while foraging on contaminated flowers. In the present study, we investigated the effects on stingless bees of both a commonly used insecticide and herbicide in Brazil. Plebeia lucii Moure, 2004 (Apidae: Meliponini) foragers were orally chronically exposed to food contaminated with different concentrations of commercial formulations of the insecticide acephate or the herbicide glyphosate. Bee mortality increased with increasing agrochemical concentrations. Depending on its concentration, the acephate-based formulation reduced the lifespan and impaired the flight ability of bees. The glyphosate-based formulation was toxic only under unrealistic concentrations. Our results demonstrate that realistic concentrations of acephate-based insecticides harm the survival and alter the mobility of stingless bees. The ingestion of glyphosate-based herbicides was safe for forager bees under realistic concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lívia Maria Negrini Ferreira
- Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Biologia Geral, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
- Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Entomologia, Viçosa, MG, Brazil.
| | - Michael Hrncir
- Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Fisiologia, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Danilo Vieira de Almeida
- Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Departamento de Agronomia, Curso de Graduação em Agronomia, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
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da Silva PC, Gonçalves B, Franceschinelli E, Brito P. Glyphosate-Based Herbicide Causes Cellular Alterations to Gut Epithelium of the Neotropical Stingless Bee Melipona quadrifasciata quadrifasciata (Hymenoptera: Meliponini). NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 51:860-868. [PMID: 36378479 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-022-01001-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) are the best-selling pesticides in Brazil, with hundreds of thousands of tons sold per year. There is no study investigating morphological alterations caused by GBH on the epithelium of the gut in bees. Here, we aimed to demonstrate effects of chronic ingestion of GBH in the midgut digestive cells of the Brazilian stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata quadrifasciata Lepeletier 1836. We kept forager workers of M. quadrifasciata in laboratory conditions and fed on food contaminated with three different concentrations of GBH for 10 days, after which the midgut digestive cell structure and ultrastructure were analyzed. The presence of GBH in food did not affect food consumption, indicating that M. quadrifasciata bees do not reject food contaminated with GBH. As digestive cells of the midgut release apocrine secretion as a detoxication mechanism, we expected that the ingestion of food contaminated with GBH in the present study affect the height of midgut digestive cells. However, such reduction did not occur, probably because of the low-test concentrations. Although there were differences in digestive cell ultrastructure, ingestion of GBH impaired midgut digestive cell cohesion by disorganizing the smooth septate junctions between cells, which may probably be caused by the adjuvant "polyethoxylated tallow amine" present in the GBH. Previous studies demonstrated that GBH increase bees' sensibility to intestine infections, based on the present results we hypothesized that the loss of cell cohesion in the midgut epithelium favors pathogenic microbial infections and harms food absorption, increasing bees' mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo César da Silva
- Programa de Pós-Graduação Em Biodiversidade Animal, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Bruno Gonçalves
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia Ambiental e Ecotoxicologia, Instituto Tropical de Patologia e Saúde Pública, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Edivani Franceschinelli
- Laboratório de Biologia Reprodutiva de Plantas, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Pedro Brito
- Laboratório de Estudos Morfológicos, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
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Chang J, Fang W, Chen L, Zhang P, Zhang G, Zhang H, Liang J, Wang Q, Ma W. Toxicological effects, environmental behaviors and remediation technologies of herbicide atrazine in soil and sediment: A comprehensive review. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 307:136006. [PMID: 35973488 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Atrazine has become one of the most popular applied triazine herbicides in the world due to its high herbicidal efficiency and low price. With its large-dosage and long-term use on a global scale, atrazine can cause widespread and persistent contamination of soil and sediment. This review systematically evaluates the toxicological effects, environmental risks, environmental behaviors (adsorption, transport and transformation, and bioaccumulation) of atrazine, and the remediation technologies of atrazine-contaminated soil and sediment. For the adsorption behavior of atrazine on soil and sediment, the organic matter content plays an extremely important role in the adsorption process. Various models and equations such as the multi-media fugacity model and solute transport model are used to analyze the migration and transformation process of atrazine in soil and sediment. It is worth noting that certain transformation products of atrazine in the environment even have stronger toxicity and mobility than its parent. Among various remediation technologies, the combination of microbial remediation and phytoremediation for atrazine-contaminated soil and sediment has wide application prospects. Although other remediation technologies such as advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) can also efficiently remove atrazine from soil, some potential problems still need to be further clarified. Finally, some related challenges and prospects are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianning Chang
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China; Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control & Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Wei Fang
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China; Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control & Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Le Chen
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China; Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control & Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Panyue Zhang
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China; Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control & Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Guangming Zhang
- School of Energy & Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300130, China.
| | - Haibo Zhang
- College of Resources and Environment, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, 030801, China
| | - Jinsong Liang
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China; Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control & Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Qingyan Wang
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China; Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control & Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Weifang Ma
- Beijing Key Lab for Source Control Technology of Water Pollution, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China; Engineering Research Center for Water Pollution Source Control & Eco-remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, China
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Bernardes RC, Botina LL, Araújo RDS, Guedes RNC, Martins GF, Lima MAP. Artificial Intelligence-Aided Meta-Analysis of Toxicological Assessment of Agrochemicals in Bees. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.845608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The lack of consensus regarding pollinator decline in various parts of the planet has generated intense debates in different spheres. Consequently, much research has attempted to identify the leading causes of this decline, and a multifactorial synergism (i.e., different stressors acting together and mutually potentiating the harmful effects) seems to be the emerging consensus explaining this phenomenon. The emphasis on some stressor groups such as agrochemicals, and pollinators such as the honey bee Apis mellifera, can hide the real risk of anthropogenic stressors on pollinating insects. In the present study, we conducted a systematic review of the literature to identify general and temporal trends in publications, considering the different groups of pollinators and their exposure to agrochemicals over the last 76 years. Through an artificial intelligence (AI)-aided meta-analysis, we quantitatively assessed trends in publications on bee groups and agrochemicals. Using AI tools through machine learning enabled efficient evaluation of a large volume of published articles. Toxicological assessment of the impact of agrochemicals on insect pollinators is dominated by the order Hymenoptera, which includes honey bees. Although honey bees are well-explored, there is a lack of published articles exploring the toxicological assessment of agrochemicals for bumble bees, solitary bees, and stingless bees. The data gathered provide insights into the current scenario of the risk of pollinator decline imposed by agrochemicals and serve to guide further research in this area.Systematic Review Registrationhttps://asreview.nl/.
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He Q, Yang Q, Liu Q, Hu Z, Gao Q, Dong Y, Xiao J, Yu L, Cao H. The effects of beta-cypermethrin, chlorbenzuron, chlorothalonil, and pendimethalin on Apis mellifera ligustica and Apis cerana cerana larvae reared in vitro. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2022; 78:1407-1416. [PMID: 34897947 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 12/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Declines in bee populations and diversity have drawn international attention. The long-term use of chemical pesticides has affected bee behavior and physiology. This study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic exposure to four commonly used chemical pesticides (beta-cypermethrin, chlorbenzuron, chlorothalonil and pendimethalin) on the growth of Apis mellifera ligustica and Apis cerana cerana larvae reared in vitro. RESULTS Pesticide type and concentration were the main factors affecting honeybee fitness. Beta-cypermethrin and chlorbenzuron had chronic toxic effects on bee larvae. They reduced the fitness of A. m. ligustica and A. c. cerana even at low doses of 323.5 ng g-1 for beta-cypermethrin and 62.6 ng g-1 for chlorbenzuron in bee bread. The effects were positively associated with the dietary amounts of pesticides. By contrast, chlorothalonil and pendimethalin exposure did not affect bee larvae despite changes in enzyme activities. Caution is still needed with chlorothalonil, which led to a decrease in harvest adult bee numbers at a high dose (6937.2 ng g-1 ). Furthermore, a difference in pesticide resistance was observed, suggesting that A. m. ligustica may tolerate toxic effects better than A. c. cerana. CONCLUSION This study sheds new light on chronic toxicity in bee larvae exposed to residues in bee bread. The results could guide the scientific and rational use of chemical pesticides to reduce the potential risks to A. m. ligustica and A. c. cerana. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qibao He
- Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Green Pesticide Development and Application, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Qing Yang
- Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Green Pesticide Development and Application, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Qiongqiong Liu
- Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Green Pesticide Development and Application, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Zhaoyin Hu
- Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Green Pesticide Development and Application, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Quan Gao
- Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Green Pesticide Development and Application, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Yongcheng Dong
- Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Green Pesticide Development and Application, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Jinjing Xiao
- Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Green Pesticide Development and Application, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Linsheng Yu
- Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Green Pesticide Development and Application, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
| | - Haiqun Cao
- Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Green Pesticide Development and Application, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Crop Integrated Pest Management, School of Plant Protection, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China
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Bernardes RC, Botina LL, da Silva FP, Fernandes KM, Lima MAP, Martins GF. Toxicological assessment of agrochemicals on bees using machine learning tools. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127344. [PMID: 34607030 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Machine learning (ML) is a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) that enables the analysis of complex multivariate data. ML has significant potential in risk assessments of non-target insects for modeling the multiple factors affecting insect health, including the adverse effects of agrochemicals. Here, the potential of ML for risk assessments of glyphosate (herbicide; formulation) and imidacloprid (insecticide, neonicotinoid; formulation) on the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata was explored. The collective behavior of forager bees was analyzed after in vitro exposure to agrochemicals. ML algorithms were applied to identify the agrochemicals that the bees have been exposed to based on multivariate behavioral features. Changes in the in situ detection of different proteins in the midgut were also studied. Imidacloprid exposure leads to the greatest changes in behavior. The ML algorithms achieved a higher accuracy (up to 91%) in identifying agrochemical contamination. The two agrochemicals altered the detection of cells positive for different proteins, which can be detrimental to midgut physiology. This study provides a holistic assessment of the sublethal effects of glyphosate and imidacloprid on a key pollinator. The procedures used here can be applied in future studies to monitor and predict multiple environmental factors affecting insect health in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lorena Lisbetd Botina
- Departamento de Entomologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | | | - Kenner Morais Fernandes
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Bernardes RC, Fernandes KM, Bastos DSS, Freire AFPA, Lopes MP, de Oliveira LL, Tavares MG, Dos Santos Araújo R, Martins GF. Impact of copper sulfate on survival, behavior, midgut morphology, and antioxidant activity of Partamona helleri (Apidae: Meliponini). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:6294-6305. [PMID: 34449024 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16109-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Copper sulfate (CuSO4) is widely used in agriculture as a pesticide and foliar fertilizer. However, the possible environmental risks associated with CuSO4 use, particularly related to pollinating insects, have been poorly studied. In this study, we evaluated both lethal and sublethal effects of CuSO4 on the stingless bee Partamona helleri. Foragers were orally exposed to five concentrations of CuSO4 (5000, 1666.7, 554.2, 183.4, 58.4 μg mL-1), and the concentration killing 50% (LC50) was estimated. This concentration (142.95 μg mL-1) was subsequently used in behavioral, midgut morphology, and antioxidant activity analyses. Bee mortality increased with the ingestion of increasing concentrations of CuSO4. Ingestion at the estimated LC50 resulted in altered walking behavior and damage to the midgut epithelium and peritrophic matrix of bees. Furthermore, the LC50 increased the catalase or superoxide dismutase activities and levels of the lipid peroxidation biomarker malondialdehyde. Furthermore, the in situ detection of caspase-3 and LC3, proteins related to apoptosis and autophagy, respectively, revealed that these processes are intensified in the midgut of treated bees. These data show that the ingestion of CuSO4 can have considerable sublethal effects on the walking behavior and midgut of stingless bees, and therefore could pose potential risks to pollinators including native bees. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kenner Morais Fernandes
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil
| | | | | | - Marcos Pereira Lopes
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil
| | | | - Mara Garcia Tavares
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, MG, 36570-900, Brazil
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11
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Calvo-Agudo M, Tooker JF, Dicke M, Tena A. Insecticide-contaminated honeydew: risks for beneficial insects. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2021; 97:664-678. [PMID: 34802185 PMCID: PMC9299500 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Honeydew is the sugar-rich excretion of phloem-feeding hemipteran insects such as aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, and psyllids, and can be a main carbohydrate source for beneficial insects in some ecosystems. Recent research has revealed that water-soluble, systemic insecticides contaminate honeydew excreted by hemipterans that feed on plants treated with these insecticides. This contaminated honeydew can be toxic to beneficial insects, such as pollinators, parasitic wasps and generalist predators that feed on it. This route of exposure has now been demonstrated in three plant species, for five systemic insecticides and four hemipteran species; therefore, we expect this route to be widely available in some ecosystems. In this perspective paper, we highlight the importance of this route of exposure by exploring: (i) potential pathways through which honeydew might be contaminated with insecticides; (ii) hemipteran families that are more likely to excrete contaminated honeydew; and (iii) systemic insecticides with different modes of action that might contaminate honeydew through the plant. Furthermore, we analyse several model scenarios in Europe and/or the USA where contaminated honeydew could be problematic for beneficial organisms that feed on this ubiquitous carbohydrate source. Finally, we explain why this route of exposure might be important when exotic, invasive, honeydew-producing species are treated with systemic insecticides. Overall, this review opens a new area of research in the field of ecotoxicology to understand how insecticides can reach non-target beneficial insects. In addition, we aim to shed light on potential undescribed causes of insect declines in ecosystems where honeydew is an important carbohydrate source for insects, and advocate for this route of exposure to be included in future environmental risk assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Calvo-Agudo
- Centro de Protección Vegetal y Biotecnología, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA), Carretera de Moncada-Náquera Km. 4,5, 46113, Moncada, Valencia, Spain.,Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, PO Box 16, 6700AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - John F Tooker
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, U.S.A
| | - Marcel Dicke
- Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University, PO Box 16, 6700AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Alejandro Tena
- Centro de Protección Vegetal y Biotecnología, Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA), Carretera de Moncada-Náquera Km. 4,5, 46113, Moncada, Valencia, Spain
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12
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Brigante J, Costa JO, Espíndola ELG, Daam MA. Acute toxicity of the insecticide abamectin and the fungicide difenoconazole (individually and in mixture) to the tropical stingless bee Melipona scutellaris. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2021; 30:1872-1879. [PMID: 34379243 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-021-02458-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Stingless bees have been recognized as essential plant pollinators and producers of various natural products in neotropical areas. Research into the potential risks of pesticides they may be exposed to in agricultural fields, however, remains meagre. Especially the toxicity of pesticide mixtures likely to occur under real-world conditions and that are likely to exert synergetic effects has been poorly studied. The aim of the present study was therefore to evaluate the single and mixture acute contact and oral toxicity of commercial products containing the insecticide abamectin and the fungicide difenoconazole in laboratory bioassays with the Brazilian native stingless bee Melipona scutellaris. In addition, a comparison of the insecticide sensitivity of stingless bees relative to the honeybee Apis mellifera was made based on previously published toxicity data. Except for oral exposure to abamectin, M. scutellaris appeared to be more sensitive that A. mellifera in the single compound toxicity tests. A difenoconazole concentration at the NOEC (no observed effect concentration) level indicated a synergetic toxic interaction with abamectin. A sensitivity comparison based on published toxicity data for A. mellifera and stingless bees indicated several insecticidal modes of action having a high relative sensitivity to stingless bees that need especial consideration in future studies. The research findings highlight the need for testing native bee species and environmentally relevant pesticide mixtures in risk assessments to avoid underestimation of potential risks to bee populations and the subsequent loss of pollination ecosystem services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janete Brigante
- NEEA/CRHEA/SHS, São Carlos Engineering School, University of São Paulo, Av. Trabalhador São Carlense, 400, São Carlos, 13.560-970, Brazil
| | - Joyce Oliveira Costa
- NEEA/CRHEA/SHS, São Carlos Engineering School, University of São Paulo, Av. Trabalhador São Carlense, 400, São Carlos, 13.560-970, Brazil
| | - Evaldo L G Espíndola
- NEEA/CRHEA/SHS, São Carlos Engineering School, University of São Paulo, Av. Trabalhador São Carlense, 400, São Carlos, 13.560-970, Brazil
| | - Michiel A Daam
- CENSE, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology, New University of Lisbon, Quinta da Torre, 2829-516, Caparica, Portugal.
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13
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Wang Y, Zhu YC, Li W, Yao J, Reddy GVP, Lv L. Binary and ternary toxicological interactions of clothianidin and eight commonly used pesticides on honey bees (Apis mellifera). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 223:112563. [PMID: 34343900 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Although many toxicological evaluations have been conducted for honey bees (Apis mellifera), most of these studies have only focused on the effects of individual chemicals. However, honey bees are usually exposed to pesticide mixtures under field conditions. In this study, we examined the effects of individual pesticides and mixtures of clothianidin (CLO) with eight other pesticides [carbaryl (CAR), thiodicarb (THI), chlorpyrifos (CHL), beta-cyfluthrin (BCY), gamma-cyhalothrin (GCY), tetraconazole (TET), spinosad (SPI) and indoxacarb (IND)] on honey bees using a feeding method. Toxicity tests of a 4-day exposure to individual pesticides revealed that CLO had the highest toxicity to A. mellifera, with an LC50 value of 0.24 μg a.i. mL-1, followed by IND and CHL with LC50 values of 3.40 and 3.56 μg a.i. mL-1, respectively. SPI and CAR had relatively low toxicities, with LC50 values of 7.19 and 8.42 μg a.i. mL-1, respectively. In contrast, TET exhibited the least toxicity, with an LC50 value of 258.7 μg a.i. mL-1. Most binary mixtures of CLO with other pesticides exerted additive and antagonistic effects. However, all the ternary mixtures containing CLO and TET (except for CLO+TET+THD) elicited synergistic responses to bees. Either increased numbers of components in the mixture or/and a unique mode of action appeared to be responsible for the higher toxicity of mixtures. Our findings emphasized the need for risk assessment of pesticide mixtures rather than the individual chemicals. Our data also provided information that might help growers avoid increased toxicity and unnecessary injury to pollinators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhua Wang
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products / Key Laboratory of Detection for Pesticide Residue and Control of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Quality and Standard for Agro-products, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, Zhejiang, PR China; United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), 141 Experiment Station Road, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA
| | - Yu-Cheng Zhu
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), 141 Experiment Station Road, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA.
| | - Wenhong Li
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), 141 Experiment Station Road, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA; Guizhou Institute of Plant Protection, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang 550006, Guizhou, PR China
| | - Jianxiu Yao
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), 141 Experiment Station Road, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA; Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | - Gadi V P Reddy
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), 141 Experiment Station Road, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA
| | - Lu Lv
- State Key Laboratory for Managing Biotic and Chemical Threats to the Quality and Safety of Agro-products / Key Laboratory of Detection for Pesticide Residue and Control of Zhejiang Province, Institute of Quality and Standard for Agro-products, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, Zhejiang, PR China
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14
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Agroecological Strategies to Safeguard Insect Pollinators in Biodiversity Hotspots: Chile as a Case Study. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su13126728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Industrial agriculture (IA) has been recognized among the main drivers of biodiversity loss, climate change, and native pollinator decline. Here we summarize the known negative effects of IA on pollinator biodiversity and illustrate these problems by considering the case of Chile, a “world biodiversity hotspot” (WBH) where food exports account for a considerable share of the economy in this country. Most of Chile’s WBH area is currently being replaced by IA at a fast pace, threatening local biodiversity. We present an agroecological strategy for sustainable food production and pollinator conservation in food-producing WBHs. In this we recognize native pollinators as internal inputs that cannot be replaced by IA technological packages and support the development of agroecological and biodiversity restorative practices to protect biodiversity. We suggest four fundamental pillars for food production change based on: (1) sharing the land, restoring and protecting; (2) ecological intensification; (3) localized knowledge, research, and technological development; and (4) territorial planning and implementation of socio-agroecological policies. This approach does not need modification of native pollination services that sustain the world with food and basic subsistence goods, but a paradigm change where the interdependency of nature and human wellbeing must be recognized for ensuring the world’s food security and sovereignty.
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15
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Bernardes RC, Lima MAP, Guedes RNC, da Silva CB, Martins GF. Ethoflow: Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence-Based Software for Automatic Behavior Analysis. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 21:3237. [PMID: 34067084 PMCID: PMC8124799 DOI: 10.3390/s21093237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Manual monitoring of animal behavior is time-consuming and prone to bias. An alternative to such limitations is using computational resources in behavioral assessments, such as tracking systems, to facilitate accurate and long-term evaluations. There is a demand for robust software that addresses analysis in heterogeneous environments (such as in field conditions) and evaluates multiple individuals in groups while maintaining their identities. The Ethoflow software was developed using computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI) tools to monitor various behavioral parameters automatically. An object detection algorithm based on instance segmentation was implemented, allowing behavior monitoring in the field under heterogeneous environments. Moreover, a convolutional neural network was implemented to assess complex behaviors expanding behavior analyses' possibilities. The heuristics used to generate training data for the AI models automatically are described, and the models trained with these datasets exhibited high accuracy in detecting individuals in heterogeneous environments and assessing complex behavior. Ethoflow was employed for kinematic assessments and to detect trophallaxis in social bees. The software was developed in desktop applications and had a graphical user interface. In the Ethoflow algorithm, the processing with AI is separate from the other modules, facilitating measurements on an ordinary computer and complex behavior assessing on machines with graphics processing units. Ethoflow is a useful support tool for applications in biology and related fields.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Clíssia Barboza da Silva
- Laboratory of Radiobiology and Environment, University of São Paulo-Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture, 303 Centenário Avenue, Piracicaba 13416-000, SP, Brazil;
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