Pest Management Science (2016) 72, 907-912

Priscila Cintra-Socolowski, Thaisa C. Roat, Roberta C.F. Nocelli, Pablo H. Nunes, Rafael A.C. Ferreira, Osmar Malaspina and Odair C. Bueno (2016)
Sublethal doses of fipronil intensify synapsin immunostaining in Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) brains
Pest Management Science 72 (5), 907-912
Abstract:
BACKGROUND
Although ants are common insects in agricultural ecosystems, few studies have considered how xenobiotics might induce physiological and morphological alterations in these insects. This study aimed to verify the neurotoxic action of sublethal doses of fipronil on the mushroom bodies of brains from the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa through immunocytochemistry analysis for the protein synapsin.
RESULTS
The LD₅₀ value was established as 1.42 ng ant^-1, and the sublethal doses used were LD_50/10 and LD_50/100. Synapsin labelling was more evident in the brains extracted from ants exposed to the insecticide, specifically in the regions of glia in the mushroom bodies, compared with the control group. It was possible to measure the intensity of emitted fluorescence in the areas of the mushroom bodies, and a statistical test showed differences between the control group and the treatment group.
CONCLUSION
Thus, it is concluded that sublethal doses of the insecticide fipronil intensified synapsin immunostaining, suggesting an increased release of neurotransmitters, which may be linked to neurotoxicity and overexcitation. These sublethal doses may have two different effects: compromising the operation and maintenance of the colony and leading to the establishment of resistance in insects.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Odair Correa Bueno

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
control - general

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Atta sexdens