Glyphosate impairs collective thermoregulation in bumblebees

Abstract

Insects are facing a multitude of anthropogenic stressors, and the recent decline in their biodiversity is threatening ecosystems and economies across the globe. We investigated the impact of glyphosate, the most commonly used herbicide worldwide, on bumblebees. Bumblebee colonies maintain their brood at high temperatures via active thermogenesis, a prerequisite for colony growth and reproduction. Using a within-colony comparative approach to examine the effects of long-term glyphosate exposure on both individual and collective thermoregulation, we found that whereas effects are weak at the level of the individual, the collective ability to maintain the necessary high brood temperatures is decreased by more than 25% during periods of resource limitation. For pollinators in our heavily stressed ecosystems, glyphosate exposure carries hidden costs that have so far been largely overlooked.

Effects of Free or Immobilized Bacterium Stenotrophomonas acidaminiphila Y4B on Glyphosate Degradation Performance and Indigenous Microbial Community Structure

“…Direct exposure to glyphosate may be related to reduced sperm production, female rat reproductive toxicity, birth defects, and higher risk of liver metabolic pathologies. − The results of a study of generational risks posed by glyphosate suggested that it substantially impacts the pathology of the F2 and F3 generations (not having experienced continued direct glyphosate exposure) of rats rather than the directly exposed F0 or F1 generations, which indicated that glyphosate has a latency period and lagging toxicology . Long-term exposure of bumblebees to glyphosate decreased their collective ability to maintain the necessary high brood temperatures . Furthermore, glyphosate residues can disturb the gut microbiota of mammals, poultry, reptilians, as well as honeybees. − To sum up, glyphosate poses a risk to ecosystems and seriously interferes with the ecological balance.…”

“…9 Long-term exposure of bumblebees to glyphosate decreased their collective ability to maintain the necessary high brood temperatures. 13 Furthermore, glyphosate residues can disturb the gut microbiota of mammals, poultry, reptilians, as well as honeybees. 14−16 To sum up, glyphosate poses a risk to ecosystems and seriously interferes with the ecological balance.…”

Conservation Genomic Analysis of the Asian Honeybee in China Reveals Climate Factors Underlying Its Population Decline

“…Temperature is one of the most important factors in insect development, and suboptimal temperatures have been shown to affect the survival and development of bee broods [ 42 ]. During cold months, Asian honeybees form a cluster, clinging tightly together on the combs in the hive [ 43 ] to protect themselves from heat loss [ 44 , 45 ], while in summer, they are most active, engaging in a variety of activities.…”

Field-realistic concentrations of a neonicotinoid insecticide influence socially regulated brood development in a bumblebee

“…On the other hand, laboratory colonies invest significantly less energy in food gathering and processing (i.e. all workers are involved in in-nest activities), have an ad libitum food supply, and live in a constantly regulated environment, requiring them to devote less energy and time for regulating temperature and other aspects of the colony microenvironment (for example, see [ 41 , 83 ]). Additional studies in the laboratory and field are important for allowing us to uncouple foraging or colony homeostasis-related effects from influences on behaviour, physiology and social interactions inside the nest.…”