Thiamethoxam effects on the morphology of Melipona quadrifasciata quadrifasciata (Hymenoptera, Apidae) honey bees exposed in semi-field conditions

• Grant number: 16/12829-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): July 01, 2016
• Effective date (End): February 28, 2017
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Morphology of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Osmar Malaspina
• Grantee: Rafael Monteiro Do Carmo
• Host Institution: Centro de Estudos de Insetos Sociais (CEIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Rio Claro. Rio Claro , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 12/50197-2 - Action of products used in cultivation of sugar cane on non-target organisms, AP.BIOEN.TEM

Abstract

Bees are insects of great importance in ecosystems as perform functions such as pollination. Currently there is evidence that the group of bees is responsible for 73% of the pollination of important crops for man, which also gives the bees a prestigious in trade. The decline of these pollinators is a concern, this way, research in the area found that one of the reasons that may be linked to the decay rates of these is the use of pesticides. There are several types of pesticides, the neonicotinoids being one of the groups that has been highlighted. Its active ingredients are used in many cultures, especially in sugarcane, which is usually grown in large tracts of land, which interferes with the availability of food for bees. Toxicological studies are aimed at risk analysis and protection of bees, this project will be evaluated the effects of timaetoxam on native bees Melipona quadrifasciata quadrifasciata, to identify the levels of toxicity, survival, morphological and functional changes through cell markers stress. They have been intended to establish through analysis a greater understanding of the deleterious effect of pesticides and, therefore, suggest strategies for the protection and conservation of these pollinators. (AU)