Consumption of the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam during the larval stage affects the survival and development of the stingless bee, Scaptotrigona aff. depilis

Abstract

In Brazil, where the use of neonicotinoids is allowed in bee-attracting flowering crops, we investigated whether thiamethoxam intake during the larval stage of the native bee species Scaptotrigona aff. depilis affects the survival and development by exposing larvae to contaminated food. Our results indicated that the larvae exposed to the dose at a field-realistic level and to the doses ranging around it had their survival rates significantly impaired. At the highest doses, we observed larvae and pupae with shorter and longer development times, respectively, and the formation of smaller and asymmetric specimens. Evidently, we need to consider that thiamethoxam reaches the pollen and nectar at residual levels, and that they are processed by nurse bees before destined for offspring. Nevertheless, our findings suggest a warning, since the individuals had their biological parameters affected by thiamethoxam, when exposed to doses at field-realistic levels.