Insecticide exposure alters flight-dependent gene-expression in honey bees, Apis mellifera
Author (Corporation)
Publication date
12/2024
Typ of student thesis
Course of study
Collections
Type
01A - Journal article
Editors
Editor (Corporation)
Supervisor
Parent work
Science of The Total Environment
Special issue
DOI of the original publication
Link
Series
Series number
Volume
956
Issue / Number
Pages / Duration
177166
Patent number
Publisher / Publishing institution
Elsevier
Place of publication / Event location
Edition
Version
Programming language
Assignee
Practice partner / Client
Abstract
The increased reports of wild bee declines and annual losses of managed bees pose a significant threat to biodiversity and agricultural productivity. While these losses and declines are likely driven by various factors, the exposure of bees to agrochemicals has raised significant concern due to their ubiquitous use and potential adverse effects. Despite numerous studies suggesting neonicotinoids can negatively affect bees at the behavioral and molecular level, data linking these two factors remains sparse. Here we provide data on the impact of an acute dose of the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam on the flight performance and molecular transcription profiles of foraging honey bees (Apis mellifera). Using a controlled experimental design with tethered flight mills, we measured flight distance, duration, and speed, alongside the expression of genes involved in energy metabolism, hormone regulation, and biosynthesis. Acute thiamethoxam exposure resulted in hyperactive flight behavior but led to significant dysregulation of genes associated with oxidative phosphorylation, indicating potential disruptions in cellular energy production. These molecular changes were particularly evident when bees engaged in flight activities, suggesting that the combined stress of pesticide exposure and physical exertion exacerbates negative outcomes. Our study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying neonicotinoid-induced impairments in bee physiology that can help understand the potential long-term consequences of xenobiotic exposure on the foraging abilities of bees and ultimately fitness.
Keywords
Subject (DDC)
600 - Technik, Medizin, angewandte Wissenschaften
Event
Exhibition start date
Exhibition end date
Conference start date
Conference end date
Date of the last check
ISBN
ISSN
0048-9697
1879-1026
1879-1026
Language
English
Created during FHNW affiliation
Yes
Strategic action fields FHNW
Publication status
Published
Review
Peer review of the complete publication
Open access category
Hybrid
License
Citation
CHRISTEN, Verena, Lukas JEKER, Ka S. LIM, Myles H.M. MENZ und Lars STRAUB, 2024. Insecticide exposure alters flight-dependent gene-expression in honey bees, Apis mellifera. Science of The Total Environment. Dezember 2024. Bd. 956, S. 177166. DOI 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.177166. Verfügbar unter: https://doi.org/10.26041/fhnw-11901