Spatial Distributions of Inorganic Elements in Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) and Possible Relationships to Dietary Habits and Surrounding Environmental Pollutants

Abstract

In this study, the laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was adopted to determine the distribution of inorganic elements, including Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, S, P, Pb, and Zn, in honeybees (Apis melifera L.). Two features are particularly noteworthy. First, it was found there is a significant amount of Fe located at the fringe of the abdomen in worker bees; ultrasonic imaging, scanning electron microscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed that it arose from magnetic Fe-bearing nanoparticles (NPs) having an average diameter of approximately 40 nm. Interestingly, only worker bees contained these magnetic Fe-bearing NPs; no similar features appeared in larvae, pupae, wasps, or drones. Second, a detectable amount of Pb accumulated particularly in the alimentary canals of worker bees. Again, no detectable amounts of Pb in larvae, pupae, drones, or wasps, yet a level of 0.24 ± 0.05 mg/kg of Pb in pollen; therefore, the diet appears to be the primary pathway for environmental pollutants entering the honeybees' food chain.

Multi-modal imaging and analysis in the search for iron-based magnetoreceptors in the honeybeeApis mellifera

“…This is most likely an indication of the iron granules, similar to those in the fat body, present within the ventriculus, which are suggested to play a detoxification role for elements such as iron, manganese, zinc and lead [ 34 ]. This is supported by analyses using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, which also associated these elements with the alimentary canal of honeybees and specifically attributed dietary intake as the primary pathway for environmental pollutants entering the digestive tract [ 43 ].…”

Mapping the fly Malpighian tubule lipidome by imaging mass spectrometry

“…Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI IMS) is a powerful technique that can provide information on the spatial distribution of lipids, proteins, and metabolites found within a sample tissue . While highly employed for studying mammalian tissues, MALDI IMS has gained traction for investigating invertebrates such as mollusks, snails, crabs, and insects ranging from bees and beetles to cockroaches and mosquitoes …”

“…[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] While highly employed for studying mammalian tissues, MALDI IMS has gained traction for investigating invertebrates such as mollusks, snails, crabs, [17][18][19] and insects ranging from bees and beetles to cockroaches and mosquitoes. [20][21][22][23] The first IMS publication of Drosophila by Niehoff et al in 2014 characterized organ-specific distributions of phospholipids and triacylglycerols on cross sections of the entire fly, 24 followed by a broader study by the Spengler's group in 2017 that included fatty acids and other metabolites. 25 While these publications provided a strong basis for future IMS studies, neither focused on the Drosophila renal system, particularly the Malpighian tubules.…”

Do honeybees (Apis mellifera) differentiate between different pollen types?

“…Social bees collect nectar and pollen from flowers to nourish their colony and simultaneously transfer pollen between flowers, which is crucial for the reproduction and conservation of about 80% of all flowering plant species worldwide [ 1 , 2 ]. The nutrient content of pollen differs strongly between different plant species [ 3 ] and is directly linked to bee health [ 4 – 7 ].…”