Pesticide exposure of honeybees (Apis mellifera) pollinating melon crops

Abstract

-The decline of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) populations impacts global agricultural production and affects both food production and the economy. One of the probable causes for this decline is the indiscriminate use of pesticides. Here, we compare the levels of pesticide exposure among honeybees that are used to pollinate melon (Cucumis melo L.) crops, honeybees that forage in the forest, and stingless bees, Melipona subnitida , that forage in the forest. The level of pesticide exposure was determined by measuring residual pesticide levels of 152 compounds in the honey. Honey samples from the present study contained 19 different pesticides, 13 of which were present in honey from bees pollinating melon crops. The levels of some compounds were sufficiently high to promote toxic effects in the bees. Thus, crop pollination presents a toxicological risk to bees that may reduce their life span. environmental contamination / insecticides / acaricides / herbicides / fungicides / nematicides / multiresidue analysis

Optimization of Method for Pesticide Detection in Honey by Using Liquid and Gas Chromatography Coupled with Mass Spectrometric Detection

“…Pacífico da Silva et al [ 1 ] developed an analytical method with an LC-MS/MS system for the simultaneous detection of 152 pesticides in honey after extraction with ethyl acetate and cleanup using Florisil. The LOD and LOQ values for all the tested pesticides were 0.005 and 0.01 mg/kg, respectively [ 1 ]. Paoloni et al [ 40 ] used Florisil for sample cleanup after extraction with n-Hexane for determining 13 pesticides in honey using GC-MS/MS.…”

“…However, honey may be contaminated with pesticides used on crops foraged by bees. Contamination may occur through direct contact of the bee body to the pesticide or by bee consumption of the contaminated nectar, pollen, and guttation fluid (an exudate eliminated through the tips or edges of leaves of some plants) [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Furthermore, some pesticides are used to treat beehives against diseases [ 4 ].…”

“…Simultaneous detection of the residual levels of several pesticides in honey is mandatory in several countries to inspect this food before commercialization. Multi-residue analysis of at least one hundred pesticides in honey has been achieved using LC and GC coupled to mass spectrometric (MS) or tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) detection [ 1 , 3 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ].…”

Toxicity of Fenpyroximate, Difenoconazole and Mineral Oil on Apis mellifera L. Introduction

“…Insects are the main responsible for sexual reproduction of most species of cataloged angiosperms, increasing genetic variability of plants (Raven et al, 2001;Michener, 2007). In addition, insects are associated to better fruit and seed productivity and development (Kerr et al, 1996;Imperatriz-Fonseca & Nunes-Silva, 2010;Putra et al, 2014;Silva et al, 2015), play an essential role for maintenance and balance of ecosystems. In this context, studies seek to measure the actual value of services to the environment that pollinators have (Lonsdorf et al, 2009;Gallai et al, 2009;Giannini et al, 2015).…”

Quantitative weight of evidence assessment of higher tier studies on the toxicity and risks of neonicotinoids in honeybees. 4. Thiamethoxam

“…There were 42 studies(Bargańska, Ślebioda, and Namieśnik 2013;Botias et al 2015;Codling et al 2016;David et al 2016;Dively and Kamel 2012; Henry et al 2015;Jones and Turnbull 2016;Kasiotis et al 2014;Krupke et al 2012;Mullin et al 2010;Pacífico Da Silva et al 2015;Pohorecka et al 2012;Stewart et al 2014;Stoner and Eitzer 2012; …”