Toxic effects of pesticides to bees

Abstract

Resumo: Os polinizadores estão entre os componentes essenciais para o funcionamento dos ecossistemas em geral, pois é essencial para a reprodução e manutenção da diversidade de espécies de plantas e provê alimentos para humanos e animais, influenciando, também, o aspecto qualitativo da produção. Atualmente, a densidade populacional de muitos polinizadores está sendo reduzida a níveis que podem comprometer os serviços de polinização. O declínio das populações de abelhas melíferas (Apis mellifera) e outras abelhas tem impactado na produção agrícola mundial e tem um impacto claro sobre a produção de alimentos e da economia. Uma das causas prováveis para este declínio é o uso indiscriminado de agrotóxicos. Os efeitos dos diferentes grupos de praguicidas sobre as abelhas é discutido.Palavras chave: inseticidas, polinizadores, contaminação ambiental, ecotoxicologia, toxicologia ambiental Abstract: Pollinators are among the essential components for the functioning of ecosystems in general, because it is essential for the reproduction and maintenance of the diversity of plant species and provide food for humans and animals, also influencing the qualitative aspect of the production. Currently, the population density of many pollinators are being reduced to levels that can impair pollination services. The decline of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) and other bees populations impacts global agricultural production and has a clear impact on both food production and the economy. One of the probable causes for this decline is the indiscriminate use of pesticides. The effects of different groups of pesticides on bees is discussed.

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

“…It is considered moderately toxic and can cause disruption of neuronal, reproductive, immune, and endocrine systems, cancer, and chromosome damage [ 46 ]. Imidacloprid is a neonicotinoid insecticide that is highly toxic to honeybees [ 1 , 2 ], with neurotoxic, immunotoxic, teratogenic, and mutagenic effects in mammals [ 47 ]. The presence of pesticides in a considerable percentage of the analyzed samples is indicative of widespread environmental contamination by these compounds.…”

“…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 ].…”

Bee colony losses in Brazil: a 5-year online survey

“…In addition, presumably many beekeepers failed to report losses, fearing they could be forced to remove their apiaries from farms where they borrow or rent space for honey production. Annual colony loss rates were expected to be high, ranging from 50% or higher (Cerqueira and Figueiredo 2017;Silva et al 2015Silva et al , 2016. Based on an average estimated population of 60,000 Apis mellifera bees per colony, more than one billion honeybees were estimated to have died, causing potential reductions in pollination and biodiversity, and large financial losses.…”

“…In Brazil, honeybee colony losses (Apis mellifera ) are usually attributed to intensive use of pesticides in agricultural areas (Silva et al 2015(Silva et al , 2016Cerqueira and Figueiredo 2017), followed by minor reports of Varroa destructor infestation, mismanagement, and starvation (Malaspina et al 2008;Message 2010;Teixeira et al 2011), although reports of queen failures are unusual.…”

Toxicological evaluation of different pesticides in Tetragonisca angustula Latreille (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

“…These stingless bees are also important pollinators of native species of plants (Giannini et al, 2020), mainly strawberries (Abrol, Gorka, Ansari, Al-Chamdi, & Al-Kahtani, 2019). During foraging in agricultural regions, these pollinators come into contact with pesticide residues, which can compromise pollination, development of colonies and the bee products (Ruvolo-Takasusuki et al, 2015;Silva, Melo, & Blanco, 2016), but as the effects of pesticides in this species are limited, toxicological evaluations are still needed.…”