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Martins CAH, Caliani I, D'Agostino A, Di Noi A, Casini S, Parrilli M, Azpiazu C, Bosch J, Sgolastra F. Biochemical responses, feeding and survival in the solitary bee Osmia bicornis following exposure to an insecticide and a fungicide alone and in combination. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:27636-27649. [PMID: 36383317 PMCID: PMC9995414 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24061-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
In agricultural ecosystems, bees are exposed to combinations of pesticides that may have been applied at different times. For example, bees visiting a flowering crop may be chronically exposed to low concentrations of systemic insecticides applied before bloom and then to a pulse of fungicide, considered safe for bees, applied during bloom. In this study, we simulate this scenario under laboratory conditions with females of the solitary bee, Osmia bicornis L. We studied the effects of chronic exposure to the neonicotinoid insecticide, Confidor® (imidacloprid) at a realistic concentration, and of a pulse (1 day) exposure of the fungicide Folicur® SE (tebuconazole) at field application rate. Syrup consumption, survival, and four biomarkers: acetylcholinesterase (AChE), carboxylesterase (CaE), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were evaluated at two different time points. An integrated biological response (IBRv2) index was elaborated with the biomarker results. The fungicide pulse had no impact on survival but temporarily reduced syrup consumption and increased the IBRv2 index, indicating potential molecular alterations. The neonicotinoid significantly reduced syrup consumption, survival, and the neurological activity of the enzymes. The co-exposure neonicotinoid-fungicide did not increase toxicity at the tested concentrations. AChE proved to be an efficient biomarker for the detection of early effects for both the insecticide and the fungicide. Our results highlight the importance of assessing individual and sub-individual endpoints to better understand pesticide effects on bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cátia Ariana Henriques Martins
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum Università Di Bologna, Viale Fanin 42, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ilaria Caliani
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Antonella D'Agostino
- Department of Management and Quantitative Studies, University of Naples Parthenope, Naples, Italy
| | - Agata Di Noi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli, 4, 53100, Siena, Italy.
| | - Silvia Casini
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via Mattioli 4, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Martina Parrilli
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum Università Di Bologna, Viale Fanin 42, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Celeste Azpiazu
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology (CSIC-Universitat Pompeu Fabra), Passeig Marítim de La Barceloneta 37, 08003, Barcelona, Spain
- Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jordi Bosch
- CREAF, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain
| | - Fabio Sgolastra
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum Università Di Bologna, Viale Fanin 42, 40127, Bologna, Italy
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Caliani I, Campani T, Conti B, Cosci F, Bedini S, D'Agostino A, Ammendola A, Di Noi A, Gori A, Casini S. Multi-biomarker approach and IBR index to evaluate the effects of different contaminants on the ecotoxicological status of Apis mellifera. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 208:111486. [PMID: 33130481 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Revised: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The honeybee, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae), a keystone pollinator of wild plant species and agricultural crops, is disappearing globally due to parasites and diseases, habitat loss, genetic constraints, beekeeper management issues and to the widespread use of pesticides. Besides insecticides, widely studied in this species, honeybees are also exposed to herbicides and fungicides and heavy metals whose lethal and sublethal effects need to be investigated. In this context, our study aimed to evaluate the effects of fungicides and of heavy metals on honeybees and to develop and apply a multi-biomarker approach that include an Integrated Biological Index (IBRv2) to assess the toxicological status of this species. Biomarkers of neurotoxicity (AChE and CaE), metabolic alteration (ALP, and GST) and immune system (LYS, granulocytes) were measured, following honeybees' exposure to cadmium or to a crop fungicide, using the genotoxic compound EMS as positive control. A biomarker of genotoxicity (NA assay) was developed and applied for the first time in honeybees. At the doses tested, all the contaminants showed sublethal toxicity to the bees, highlighting in particular genotoxic effects. The data collected were analyzed by an IBRv2 index, which integrated the seven biomarkers used in this study. IBRv2 index increased with increasing cadmium or fungicide concentrations. The IBRv2 represents a simple tool for a general description of honeybees ecotoxicological health status. Results highlight the need for more in-depth investigations on the effects of fungicides on non-target organisms, such as honeybees, using sensitive methods for the determination of sublethal effects. This study contributes to the development of a multi-biomarker approach to be used for a more accurate ecotoxicological environmental monitoring of these animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Caliani
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Tommaso Campani
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Barbara Conti
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment Entomology, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto, 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Cosci
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment Entomology, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto, 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefano Bedini
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment Entomology, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto, 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Antonella D'Agostino
- Department of Management and Quantitative Studies, University of Naples "Parthenope", via Generale Parisi, 13, 80132 Napoli, Italy
| | - Anna Ammendola
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Agata Di Noi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Gori
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Silvia Casini
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, via Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
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Souders CL, Xavier P, Perez-Rodriguez V, Ector N, Zhang JL, Martyniuk CJ. Sub-lethal effects of the triazole fungicide propiconazole on zebrafish (Danio rerio) development, oxidative respiration, and larval locomotor activity. Neurotoxicol Teratol 2019; 74:106809. [PMID: 31129159 DOI: 10.1016/j.ntt.2019.106809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 05/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Propiconazole is a triazole fungicide used in agriculture. Via run-off, it can enter the aquatic environment, and can adversely affect organisms. However, data are scarce on how propiconazole may affect early developmental life stages of fish. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the potential sub-lethal effects of propiconazole during zebrafish development. Wildtype zebrafish (ABTu strain) embryos and larvae were exposed to propiconazole (0.1-100 μM) for up to 150 hours post fertilization (hpf) depending upon the endpoint measured. Propiconazole decreased survival and induced hypopigmentation in fish at 100 μM compared to the water and solvent controls. Pericardial edema was also noted in embryos and larvae (beginning at 2-3 dpf) exposed to 100 μM propiconazole. To visualize the effects of propiconazole on the circulatory system in more detail, we exposed transgenic zebrafish (globin-LCR:eGFP) to the fungicide. Hematopoietic changes were observed within 48 h of exposure to 100 μM, and localization of blood cells in the cardic region became diffuse, indicating pooling of blood in the pericardial region. We measured oxidative respiration in embryos as sufficient ATP is needed for development. Exposure to 100 μM propiconazole (~6-30 hpf) reduced basal respiration (~50%), oligomycin-induced ATP linked respiration (~70%), proton leak (~30%), and non-mitochondrial respiration (~50%), indicating compromised mitochondrial bioenergetics. A Visual Motor Response (VMR) test was used to measure dark photokinesis behavior in larval fish exposed to propiconazole for a 6-day period. Larval fish exposed to the highest concentration in the assay (10 μM) showed evidence of hypoactivity. This study demonstrates that propiconazole can induce hypopigmentation in zebrafish, disrupt mitochondrial bioenergetics, and can alter locomotor activity. However, these sub-lethal responses were observed at concentrations above what is typically detected in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher L Souders
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida Genetics Institute, Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences Neuroscience, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Priscilla Xavier
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida Genetics Institute, Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences Neuroscience, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Veronica Perez-Rodriguez
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida Genetics Institute, Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences Neuroscience, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Naomi Ector
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida Genetics Institute, Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences Neuroscience, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Ji-Liang Zhang
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida Genetics Institute, Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences Neuroscience, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA; Henan Open Laboratory of Key Subjects of Environmental and Animal Products Safety, College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, Henan, China
| | - Christopher J Martyniuk
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Center for Environmental and Human Toxicology, University of Florida Genetics Institute, Interdisciplinary Program in Biomedical Sciences Neuroscience, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA.
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Chambers JE, Greim H, Kendall RJ, Segner H, Sharpe RM, Van Der Kraak G. Human and ecological risk assessment of a crop protection chemical: a case study with the azole fungicide epoxiconazole. Crit Rev Toxicol 2013; 44:176-210. [DOI: 10.3109/10408444.2013.855163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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The effect of olfactory exposure to non-insecticidal agrochemicals on bumblebee foraging behavior. PLoS One 2013; 8:e76273. [PMID: 24204608 PMCID: PMC3811974 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0076273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2013] [Accepted: 08/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Declines in bumblebee populations have led to investigations into potential causes - including agrochemical effects on bumblebee physiology. The indirect effects of agrochemicals (i.e. behavior modulation) have been postulated, but rarely directly tested. Olfactory information is critical in mediating bumblebee-floral interactions. As agrochemicals emit volatiles, they may indirectly modify foraging behavior. We tested the effects of olfactory contamination of floral odor by agrochemical scent on foraging activity of Bombus impatiens using two behavioral paradigms: localization of food within a maze and forced-choice preference. The presence of a fungicide decreased bumblebees' ability to locate food within a maze. Additionally, bumblebees preferred to forage in non-contaminated feeding chambers when offered a choice between control and either fertilizer- or fungicide-scented chambers.
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