Impact of Chlorantraniliprole on Honeybee Queen Development
Honeybees are crucial pollinators, essential for global crop production and biodiversity. However, recent decades have seen a steep decline in insect pollinators, including honeybees, due to various factors, including pesticide exposure. While the impact of pesticides on worker bees is well-studied, their effects on queen development remain relatively unexplored.
Study Overview:
This study investigates the effects of chlorantraniliprole, a widely used insecticide, on the growth, hormone levels, and detoxifying enzyme activity of honeybee queen larvae. The researchers aimed to understand the potential risks posed by chlorantraniliprole to queen development and provide insights for the safe use of chemical pesticides.
Findings:
Chronic Toxic Effect: Chlorantraniliprole exhibited a chronic toxic effect on queen larvae, negatively impacting their growth and development. Higher pesticide levels correlated with reduced fitness of queen larvae.
Reduced Capping and Emergence Rates: Exposure to chlorantraniliprole resulted in reduced capping and emergence rates of queen larvae, particularly at higher pesticide concentrations.
Hormonal Alterations: Chlorantraniliprole altered hormone levels in queen larvae, specifically affecting juvenile hormone (JHIII) and ecdysone (Ecd), which are crucial for larval development.
Detoxification Enzyme Activity: The study observed changes in the activity of detoxification enzymes, including Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), Carboxylesterases (CarE), and Cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP450), indicating metabolic responses to chlorantraniliprole exposure.
Implications:
Risk to Queen Development: Chlorantraniliprole poses a risk to the growth and viability of honeybee queen larvae, potentially compromising the reproductive capacity and overall health of honeybee colonies.
Need for Caution: These findings underscore the importance of cautious pesticide use to minimize adverse effects on honeybee populations, particularly considering the critical role of queens in colony survival and reproduction.
Conclusion:
The study highlights the detrimental impact of chlorantraniliprole on honeybee queen development, emphasizing the need for further research and informed pesticide management strategies to safeguard pollinator health and ensure sustainable agriculture.
Author Contributions:
The study was led by Qibao He, with contributions from Ya Wei, Yancan Wu, Qing Yang, Yaohui Wang, Quan Gao, Jinjing Xiao, Linsheng Yu, and Haiqun Cao. Their collaborative efforts encompassed data collection, analysis, and interpretation, providing valuable insights into the effects of chlorantraniliprole on honeybee queen larvae.
댓글
댓글 쓰기