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Strang CG, Rondeau S, Baert N, McArt SH, Raine NE, Muth F. Field agrochemical exposure impacts locomotor activity in wild bumblebees. Ecology 2024; 105:e4310. [PMID: 38828716 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.4310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
Agricultural intensification has been identified as one of the key causes of global insect biodiversity losses. These losses have been further linked to the widespread use of agrochemicals associated with modern agricultural practices. Many of these chemicals are known to have negative sublethal effects on commercial pollinators, such as managed honeybees and bumblebees, but less is known about the impacts on wild bees. Laboratory-based studies with commercial pollinators have consistently shown that pesticide exposure can impact bee behavior, with cascading effects on foraging performance, reproductive success, and pollination services. However, these studies typically assess only one chemical, neglecting the complexity of real-world exposure to multiple agrochemicals and other stressors. In the summer of 2020, we collected wild-foraging workers of the common eastern bumblebee, Bombus impatiens, from five squash (Cucurbita) agricultural sites (organic and conventional farms), selected to represent a range of agrochemical, including neonicotinoid insecticide, use. For each bee, we measured two behaviors relevant to foraging success and previously shown to be impacted by pesticide exposure: sucrose responsiveness and locomotor activity. Following behavioral testing, we used liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) chemical analysis to detect and quantify the presence of 92 agrochemicals in each bumblebee. Bees collected from our sites did not vary in pesticide exposure as expected. While we found a limited occurrence of neonicotinoids, two fungicides (azoxystrobin and difenoconazole) were detected at all sites, and the pesticide synergist piperonyl butoxide (PBO) was present in all 123 bees. We found that bumblebees that contained higher levels of PBO were less active, and this effect was stronger for larger bumblebee workers. While PBO is unlikely to be the direct cause of the reduction in bee activity, it could be an indicator of exposure to pyrethroids and/or other insecticides that we were unable to directly quantify, but which PBO is frequently tank-mixed with during pesticide applications on crops. We did not find a relationship between agrochemical exposure and bumblebee sucrose responsiveness. To our knowledge, this is the first evidence of a sublethal behavioral impact of agrochemical exposure on wild-foraging bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline G Strang
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Sabrina Rondeau
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Nicolas Baert
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Scott H McArt
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Nigel E Raine
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Felicity Muth
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Texas, Austin, Texas, USA
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Boff S, Ayasse M. Exposure to sublethal concentration of flupyradifurone alters sexual behavior and cuticular hydrocarbon profile in Heriades truncorum, an oligolectic solitary bee. INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 31:859-869. [PMID: 37602924 DOI: 10.1111/1744-7917.13268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
The aboveground oligolectic bee, Heriades truncorum, is a particularly good model for studying the impact of pesticides on sexual communication, since some aspects of its mating behavior have previously been described. We have tested (1) the interference of the pesticide flupyradifurone on male precopulatory behavior and male mating partner preferences, (2) the way that the pesticide interferes in male quality assessment by the female, and (3) the effects of the pesticide on the chemical compounds in the female cuticle. We exposed bees of both sexes to a sublethal concentration of flupyradifurone. Various behaviors were registered in a mating arena with two females (one unexposed and one exposed) and one male (either unexposed or exposed). Unexposed males were quicker to attempt to mate. Treatment also impacted precopulatory behavior and male quality assessment by females. Males approached unexposed females more quickly than insecticide-exposed ones. Females exposed to insecticide produced lower amounts of some cuticular hydrocarbons (sex pheromone candidates) and appeared less choosy than unexposed females. Our findings suggest that insecticide exposure affects sexual communication, playing a role both in male preference and in male quality assessment by the female.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Boff
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Manfred Ayasse
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
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Runnion EN, Strange JP, Sivakoff FS. Consumption of pollen contaminated with field-realistic concentrations of fungicide causes sublethal effects in Bombus impatiens (Hymenoptera: Apidae) microcolonies. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2024:nvae049. [PMID: 38801278 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvae049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Bumble bees are declining across the globe. The causes of this decline have been attributed to a variety of stressors, including pesticides. Fungicides are a type of pesticide that has been understudied in the context of bumble bee health. As a result, fungicides are often applied to flowering plants without consideration of pollinator exposure. Recent work demonstrates that fungicides have sublethal effects in bumble bees, but little is known about how much fungicide it takes to cause these sublethal effects. To address this gap in the literature, we fed microcolonies of the common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens CressonHymenoptera: ApidaeHymenoptera: ApidaeHymenoptera: ApidaeHymenoptera: Apidae) pollen contaminated with a range of fungicide concentrations. We chose these concentrations based on the range of fungicide concentrations in pollen and nectar that were reported in the literature. Results revealed that later-stage pupae and newly emerged males are potentially sensitive to fungicide exposure, showing smaller size and reduced fat reserves at intermediate levels of contamination. Compared to the control, intermediated levels of fungicide-contaminated pollen led to increased pupal mortality and delayed male emergence. Contrary to expectations, higher fungicide levels did not exhibit a linear relationship with negative impacts, suggesting nuanced effects. Because body size and emergence timing are important aspects of bumble bee reproductive behavior, results have implications for mating success, potentially disrupting colony development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily N Runnion
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, 300 Aronoff Laboratories, 318 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 4321, USA
| | - James P Strange
- Department of Entomology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 2021, USA
| | - Frances S Sivakoff
- Department of Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology, The Ohio State University, 300 Aronoff Laboratories, 318 W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 4321, USA
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Phan NT, Joshi NK, Rajotte EG, Zhu F, Peter KA, López-Uribe MM, Biddinger DJ. Systemic pesticides in a solitary bee pollen food store affect larval development and increase pupal mortality. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 915:170048. [PMID: 38218472 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Solitary bees are often exposed to various pesticides applied for pest control on farmland while providing pollination services to food crops. Increasing evidence suggests that sublethal toxicity of agricultural pesticides affects solitary bees differently than the social bees used to determine regulatory thresholds, such as honey bees and bumblebees. Studies on solitary bees are challenging because of the difficulties in obtaining large numbers of eggs or young larvae for bioassays. Here we show the toxic and sublethal developmental effects of four widely used plant systemic pesticides on the Japanese orchard bee (Osmia cornifrons). Pollen food stores of this solitary bee were treated with different concentrations of three insecticides (acetamiprid, flonicamid, and sulfoxaflor) and a fungicide (dodine). Eggs were transplanted to the treated pollen and larvae were allowed to feed on the pollen stores after egg hatch. The effects of chronic ingestion of contaminated pollen were measured until adult eclosion. This year-long study revealed that chronic exposure to all tested pesticides delayed larval development and lowered larval and adult body weights. Additionally, exposure to the systemic fungicide resulted in abnormal larval defecation and increased mortality at the pupal stage, indicating potential risk to bees from fungicide exposure. These findings demonstrate potential threats to solitary bees from systemic insecticides and fungicides and will help in making policy decisions to mitigate these effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ngoc T Phan
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA; Research Center for Tropical Bees and Beekeeping, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi, Vietnam.
| | - Neelendra K Joshi
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.
| | - Edwin G Rajotte
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Fang Zhu
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
| | - Kari A Peter
- Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center, Biglerville, PA, USA
| | | | - David J Biddinger
- Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA; Penn State Fruit Research and Extension Center, Biglerville, PA, USA
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Porras MF, Raygoza Garay JA, Brought M, López-Londoño T, Chautá A, Crone M, Rajotte EG, Phan N, Joshi NK, Peter K, Biddinger D. Fungicide ingestion reduces net energy gain and microbiome diversity of the solitary mason bee. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3229. [PMID: 38332135 PMCID: PMC10853529 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53935-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Fungicides are frequently used during tree fruit bloom and can threaten insect pollinators. However, little is known about how non-honey bee pollinators such as the solitary bee, Osmia cornifrons, respond to contact and systemic fungicides commonly used in apple production during bloom. This knowledge gap limits regulatory decisions that determine safe concentrations and timing for fungicide spraying. We evaluated the effects of two contact fungicides (captan and mancozeb) and four translaminar/plant systemic fungicides (cyprodinil, myclobutanil, penthiopyrad, and trifloxystrobin) on larval weight gain, survival, sex ratio, and bacterial diversity. This assessment was carried out using chronic oral ingestion bioassays where pollen provisions were treated with three doses based on the currently recommended field use dose (1X), half dose (0.5X), and low dose (0.1X). Mancozeb and penthiopyrad significantly reduced larval weight and survival at all doses. We then sequenced the 16S gene to characterize the larvae bacteriome of mancozeb, the fungicide that caused the highest mortality. We found that larvae fed on mancozeb-treated pollen carried significantly lower bacterial diversity and abundance. Our laboratory results suggest that some of these fungicides can be particularly harmful to the health of O. cornifrons when sprayed during bloom. This information is relevant for future management decisions about the sustainable use of fruit tree crop protection products and informing regulatory processes that aim to protect pollinators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitzy F Porras
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, 501 ASI Bldg, University Park, USA.
- Department of Biology, San Francisco State University, 1600 Holloway Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94132, USA.
| | - Juan Antonio Raygoza Garay
- Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Iowa, 200 Hawkins Dr, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Malachi Brought
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, 501 ASI Bldg, University Park, USA
| | - Tomas López-Londoño
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, 208 Mueller Lab, University Park, PA16802, USA
| | - Alexander Chautá
- Department of Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA
| | - Makaylee Crone
- Center for Pollinator Research, Intercollege Graduate Program in Ecology, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA16802, USA
| | - Edwin G Rajotte
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, 501 ASI Bldg, University Park, USA
| | - Ngoc Phan
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA
| | - Neelendra K Joshi
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, 72701, USA
| | - Kari Peter
- Department of Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology, Fruit Research and Extension Center, Pennsylvania State University, 290 University Dr., Biglerville, PA, 17307, USA
| | - David Biddinger
- Department of Entomology, Fruit Research and Extension Center, 290 University Dr., Biglerville, PA, 17307, USA
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Straub F, Birkenbach M, Leonhardt SD, Ruedenauer FA, Kuppler J, Wilfert L, Ayasse M. Land-use-associated stressors interact to reduce bumblebee health at the individual and colony level. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20231322. [PMID: 37817596 PMCID: PMC10565366 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.1322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
In agricultural landscapes, bees face a variety of stressors, including insecticides and poor-quality food. Although both stressors individually have been shown to affect bumblebee health negatively, few studies have focused on stressor interactions, a scenario expected in intensively used agricultural landscapes. Using the bumblebee Bombus terrestris, a key pollinator in agricultural landscapes, we conducted a fully factorial laboratory experiment starting at nest initiation. We assessed the effects of food quality and insecticides, alone and in interaction, on health traits at various levels, some of which have been rarely studied. Pollen with a diluted nutrient content (low quality) reduced ovary size and delayed colony development. Wing asymmetry, indicating developmental stress, was increased during insecticide exposure and interactions with poor food, whereas both stressors reduced body size. Both stressors and their interaction changed the workers' chemical profile and reduced worker interactions and the immune response. Our findings suggest that insecticides combined with nutritional stress reduce bumblebee health at the individual and colony levels, thus possibly affecting colony performance, such as development and reproduction, and the stability of plant-pollinator networks. The synergistic effects highlight the need of combining stressors in risk assessments and when studying the complex effects of anthropogenic stressors on health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Straub
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Markus Birkenbach
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Sara D. Leonhardt
- Plant-Insect-Interactions, Research Department Life Science Systems, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Fabian A. Ruedenauer
- Plant-Insect-Interactions, Research Department Life Science Systems, Technical University of Munich, Hans-Carl-von-Carlowitz-Platz 2, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Jonas Kuppler
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Lena Wilfert
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Manfred Ayasse
- Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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Boff S, Conrad T, Raizer J, Wehrhahn M, Bayer M, Friedel A, Theodorou P, Schmitt T, Lupi D. Low toxicity crop fungicide (fenbuconazole) impacts reproductive male quality signals leading to a reduction of mating success in a wild solitary bee. J Appl Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Boff
- University of Würzburg, Biocentre Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology Würzburg Germany
- University of Milan Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences Milan Italy
| | - Taina Conrad
- University of Bayreuth Department of Evolutionary Animal Ecology Bayreuth Germany
| | - Josué Raizer
- Federal University of Grande Dourados Faculty of Biology and Environmental Sciences Dourados Brazil
| | - Marten Wehrhahn
- University of Würzburg, Biocentre Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology Würzburg Germany
| | - Melis Bayer
- Ludwig Maximillians University Department of Neurobiology Munich Germany
| | - Anna Friedel
- Martin Luther University Halle‐Wittenberg Institute of Biology, General Zoology Halle (Saale) Germany
| | - Panagiotis Theodorou
- Martin Luther University Halle‐Wittenberg Institute of Biology, General Zoology Halle (Saale) Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐Leipzig Leipzig Germany
| | - Thomas Schmitt
- University of Würzburg, Biocentre Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology Würzburg Germany
| | - Daniela Lupi
- University of Milan Department of Food, Environmental and Nutritional Sciences Milan Italy
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