Abstract
The commercial insecticide Fastac Duo is a combined insecticide, widely used in different crops, acting on insects, affecting both pests and pollinators, such as bees. In this study, the effects of sublethal concentrations of Fastac Duo in stingless bees Scaptotrigona bipunctata were evaluated. Worker forager bees were exposed to the insecticide and histochemical and morphological analyses were conducted after 24, 48 and 72 h of ingestion. Brain analysis of S. bipunctata revealed changes in the chromatin condensing state according to exposure time and insecticide concentration when compared to the control group. Morphological changes were observed in the midgut in all concentrations and exposure times, which may interfere in several physiological processes. In conclusion, although the concentrations used in the study did not cause high mortality, it induced changes in the internal morphology that can lead to changes in bee activity.
Highlights
Bees are the main pollinating agents, providing an extremely important ecosystem service (Barbosa et al, 2017) maintaining the fundamental ecological processes involved in plant reproduction, being vital for crops production (Ramírez et al, 2018)
Brain analysis of S. bipunctata revealed changes in the chromatin condensing state according to exposure time and insecticide concentration when compared to the control group
Pyrethroids act on the sodium channels of the nerve cell membrane, altering depolarization and nerve impulse conduction insecticides and are efficient when used in low dose (Santos et al, 2007)
Summary
Bees are the main pollinating agents, providing an extremely important ecosystem service (Barbosa et al, 2017) maintaining the fundamental ecological processes involved in plant reproduction, being vital for crops production (Ramírez et al, 2018). In Brazil, this species is found on the following states: Acre, Ceará, Maranhão, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Pará, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro and Santa Catarina (Camargo e Pedro, 1836) Their colonies are highly populated and they are extremely good pollinators, research on their susceptibility is limited. Neonicotinoids have become the most widely used class of insecticides in the world, with large-scale applications ranging from plant protection, veterinary products and fish farming. This agrochemical act as agonists of post-synaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptor on the central nervous system of the insect, causing a blockage of signal transmission (Bridi et al, 2018). Pyrethroids act on the sodium channels of the nerve cell membrane, altering depolarization and nerve impulse conduction insecticides and are efficient when used in low dose (Santos et al, 2007)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
