Behavioural impairments, foraging behaviour and brood development of Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) driven by air pollutants particulate matter in agro-industrial ecosystem

Abstract

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are effective as a sentinel to assess environmental contaminants, particularly particulate matter (PM). Particulate matter (2.5 µm and 10 µm) exposure had deleterious impacts on the foraging performances of Apis mellifera in the treated area, hence expressing an average foraging rate and speed of 3.0 ± 0.13 flowers/min and 4.53 ± 0.45 sec/flower respectively in non-caged plots. Apis dorsata showed a similar pattern in the experimental area and indicated an average rate and speed of 3.39 ± 0.19 flowers/min and 4.46 ± 0.21 sec/flower respectively. A depressed bee population was observed in particulate matter simulated hives, hence reflecting smaller broods and lesser honey storage. The rate of non-emerging offspring cells was high (333.2 ± 48.92 and 200.8 ± 36.63) than non-incense controlled hive boxes (2.6 ± 0.58 and 1.1 ± 0.32) during experimental seasons. The statistical results elucidated a significant relation of PM with larval emergence in incense controlled colonies. The PM substantially degraded the olfaction and flight performance of Apis mellifera visiting bowl traps installed near incense controlled colonies. Comparison between bee visitation rate and bowls installed at 4 feet height asides the boxes were well marked with a high bee visiting rates towards blue and white bowls installed at 4 and 2.5 feet height in controlled territories. An increasing trend of Na (38.51 ± 0.14 and 43.56 ± 0.23) and K (24.99 ± 0.13 and 45.35 ± 0.35) was evidenced in body fluids of Apis mellifera exposed to agro-industrial PM. The interpretations of experimental findings for PM effects on bees’ behaviour and development are discussed for the prevention of these vital pollinators.