Brain Morphophysiology of Africanized Bee Apis mellifera Exposed to Sublethal Doses of Imidacloprid

Author(s)

Rossi, Caroline de Almeida ^[1] ; Roat, Thaisa Cristina ^[1] ; Tavares, Daiana Antonia ^[1] ; Cintra-Socolowski, Priscila ^[1] ; Malaspina, Osmar ^[1]

Affiliation

^[1] UNESP Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Biol, Ctr Estudos Insetos Sociais, Inst Biociencias Rio Claro, BR-13500900 Rio Claro, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology; v. 65, n. 2, p. 234-243, AUG 2013.
• Web of Science Citations: 18

Abstract

Several synthetic substances are used in agricultural areas to combat insect pests; however, the indiscriminate use of these products may affect nontarget insects, such as bees. In Brazil, one of the most widely used insecticides is imidacloprid, which targets the nervous system of insects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chronic exposure to sublethal doses of imidacloprid on the brain of the Africanized Apis mellifera. The organs of both control bees and bees exposed to insecticide were subjected to morphological, histochemical and immunocytochemical analysis after exposure to imidacloprid, respectively, for 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 days. In mushroom bodies of bees exposed to imidacloprid concentrations of LD50/10 and in optic lobes of bees exposed to imidacloprid concentrations of LD50/10, LD50/100, and LD50/50, we observed the presence of condensed cells. The Feulgen reaction revealed the presence of some cells with pyknotic nuclei, whereas Xylidine Ponceau stain revealed strongly stained cells. These characteristics can indicate the occurrence of cell death. Furthermore, cells in mushroom bodies of bees exposed to imidacloprid concentrations of LD50/10 appeared to be swollen. Cell death was confirmed by immunocytochemical technique. Therefore, it was concluded that sublethal doses of imidacloprid have cytotoxic effects on exposed bee brains and that optic lobes are more sensitive to the insecticide than other regions of the brain. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 06/57122-7 - Searching for lead compounds for rational development of new drugs and pesticides through bioprospecting in Brazilian arthropods
• Grantee: Mario Sergio Palma
• Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 08/05018-7 - Toxicological effects of the insecticide fipronil in workers and queens of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae): neural activity and detoxification proteins
• Grantee: Thaisa Cristina Roat
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral