Pest Management Science (2018) 74, 1311-1318

Marcos Pereira Lopes, Kenner Morais Fernandes, Hudson Vaner Ventura Tomé, Wagner Gonzaga Gonçalves, Franciane Rosa Miranda, José Eduardo Serrão and Gustavo Ferreira Martins (2018)
Spinosad-mediated effects on the walking ability, midgut, and Malpighian tubules of Africanized honey bee workers
Pest Management Science 74 (6), 1311-1318
Abstract:
Background
The global decline in Apis mellifera colonies is attributed to multiple factors, including pesticides. The bioinsecticide spinosad was initially recognized as safe for non-target organisms; however, its toxicity has been changing this view. Here, we investigated the survival, behavioral changes, and structural changes in the midgut and Malpighian tubules of A. mellifera treated orally with a spinosad formulation.
Results
The field-recommended concentration of spinosad killed 100% of the bees. The 5% and 50% lethal concentrations (LC₅ and LC₅₀, respectively) of spinosad altered the behavioral activity, reducing the walking distance and velocity, and increased the resting time in comparison to the control. The LC₅₀ caused disorganization of the epithelia of tested organs and induced oxidative stress and cell death.
Conclusions
The present work provides new insights into the debate about the role of bioinsecticides in the mortality of Africanized honey bees. Even at very low concentrations, the spinosad formulation was toxic to the vital organs midgut and Malpighian tubules and adversely affected walking behavior. This detailed evaluation of the impact of the bioinsecticide on A. mellifera will contribute to the clarification of disturbances probably caused by spinosad formulations, which can be used to develop more sustainable protocols in agriculture.
(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): José Eduardo Serrao

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.
	Apis mellifera