The effects of beta-cypermethrin, chlorbenzuron, chlorothalonil, and pendimethalin on Apis mellifera ligustica and Apis cerana cerana larvae reared in vitro.

BACKGROUND

Declines in bee populations and diversity have drawn international attention. The long-term use of chemical pesticides has affected bee behavior and physiology. This study aimed to investigate the effects of chronic exposure to four commonly used chemical pesticides (beta-cypermethrin, chlorbenzuron, chlorothalonil and pendimethalin) on the growth of Apis mellifera ligustica and Apis cerana cerana larvae reared in vitro.

RESULTS

Pesticide type and concentration were the main factors affecting honeybee fitness. Beta-cypermethrin and chlorbenzuron had chronic toxic effects on bee larvae. They reduced the fitness of A. m. ligustica and A. c. cerana even at low doses of 323.5 ng g-1 for beta-cypermethrin and 62.6 ng g-1 for chlorbenzuron in bee bread. The effects were positively associated with the dietary amounts of pesticides. By contrast, chlorothalonil and pendimethalin exposure did not affect bee larvae despite changes in enzyme activities. Caution is still needed with chlorothalonil, which led to a decrease in harvest adult bee numbers at a high dose (6937.2 ng g-1 ). Furthermore, a difference in pesticide resistance was observed, suggesting that A. m. ligustica may tolerate toxic effects better than A. c. cerana.

CONCLUSION

This study sheds new light on chronic toxicity in bee larvae exposed to residues in bee bread. The results could guide the scientific and rational use of chemical pesticides to reduce the potential risks to A. m. ligustica and A. c. cerana. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.