Eucalyptus comprises the largest planted area of cultivated production forest in Brazil. Genetic modification (GM) of eucalyptus can provide additional characteristics for increasing productivity and protecting wood yield, as well as potentially altering fiber for a diversity of industrial uses. However, prior to releasing a new GM plant, risk assessments studies with non-target organisms must be undertaken.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOrganophosphorus pesticides such as chlorpyrifos are often used in agriculture due to their broad spectrum of action. However, this insecticide and acaricide is considered highly toxic to the environment and can cause toxicity in nontarget insects such as bees. In addition to adult individuals, immature can also be exposed to residues of this insecticide by larval food.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBees are important for the world biodiversity and economy because they provide key pollination services in forests and crops. However, pesticide use in crops has adversely affected (decreased) queen production because of increased mortality among larvae. Here, we demonstrated that in vitro-reared queens of a neotropical social bee species (Plebeia droryana) also showed high larval mortality after exposure to an organophosphate pesticide (chlorpyrifos) via larval food.
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