Acute exposure to fungicide fluazinam induces cell death in the midgut, oxidative stress and alters behavior of the stingless bee Partamona helleri (Hymenoptera: Apidae).
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf
; 282: 116677, 2024 Sep 01.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38971098
ABSTRACT
Stingless bees (Hymenoptera Meliponini) are pollinators of both cultivated and wild crop plants in the Neotropical region. However, they are susceptible to pesticide exposure during foraging activities. The fungicide fluazinam is commonly applied in bean and sunflower cultivation during the flowering period, posing a potential risk to the stingless bee Partamona helleri, which serves as a pollinator for these crops. In this study, we investigated the impact of acute oral exposure (24â¯h) fluazinam on the survival, morphology and cell death signaling pathways in the midgut, oxidative stress and behavior of P. helleri worker bees. Worker bees were exposed for 24â¯h to fluazinam (field concentrations 0.5, 1.5 and 2.5â¯mg a.i. mL-1), diluted in 50â¯% honey aqueous solution. After oral exposure, fluazinam did not harm the survival of worker bees. However, sublethal effects were revealed using the highest concentration of fluazinam (2.5â¯mg a.i. mL-1), particularly a reduction in food consumption, damage in the midgut epithelium, characterized by degeneration of the brush border, an increase in the number and size of cytoplasm vacuoles, condensation of nuclear chromatin, and an increase in the release of cell fragments into the gut lumen. Bees exposed to fluazinam exhibited an increase in cells undergoing autophagy and apoptosis, indicating cell death in the midgut epithelium. Furthermore, the fungicide induced oxidative stress as evidenced by an increase in total antioxidant and catalase enzyme activities, along with a decrease in glutathione S-transferase activity. And finally, fluazinam altered the walking behavior of bees, which could potentially impede their foraging activities. In conclusion, our findings indicate that fluazinam at field concentrations is not lethal for workers P. helleri. Nevertheless, it has side effects on midgut integrity, oxidative stress and worker bee behavior, pointing to potential risks for this pollinator.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Estrés Oxidativo
/
Fungicidas Industriales
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Ecotoxicol Environ Saf
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
Pais de publicación:
Países Bajos