Susceptibility of solitary bees to agrochemicals highlights gaps in bee risk assessment.

Ground-nesting solitary bees are the most abundant bee species in the xeric areas of the world, but the effects of agrochemicals on them have been little studied. Herein, we evaluated the topical toxicity of an insecticide, a herbicide, and an essential oil on Mediterranean ground-nesting bees (Andrena impunctata, A. nigroolivacea, A.

Artificial intelligence-driven tool for spectral analysis: identifying pesticide contamination in bees from reflectance profiling.

Pesticide poisoning constantly threatens bees as they forage for resources in pesticide-treated crops. This poisoning requires thorough investigation to identify its causes, underscoring the importance of reliable pesticide detection methods for bee monitoring. Infrared spectroscopy provides reflectance data across hundreds of spectral bands (hyperspectral reflectance), presumably enabling the efficient classification of pesticide contamination in bee carcasses using artificial intelligence (AI) models, such as machine learning.

Climatic fluctuations alter the preference of stingless bees (Apidae, Meliponini) towards food contaminated with acephate and glyphosate.

The global decline of pollinators has become a major concern for the scientific community, policymakers, and the general public. Among the main drivers of diminishing bee populations is the widespread use of agrochemicals. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the foraging dynamics of bees at agrochemical-contaminated areas, it is essential to consider both environmental conditions and the specific foraging ecology of bee species.

Exposure to the herbicide tebuthiuron affects behavior, enzymatic activity, morphology and physiology of the midgut of the stingless bee Partamona helleri.

Partamona helleri is an important pollinator in the Neotropics. However, this bee faces an increased risk of pesticide exposure, potentially affecting both individual bees and entire colonies. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of the herbicide tebuthiuron on behavior, antioxidant activity, midgut morphology, and signaling pathways related to cell death, cell proliferation and differentiation in P.

Nasturtium leaf compounds, diphenyl disulfide and lyral, against Atta sexdens (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and their symbiotic fungi.

Social insect pests, particularly leaf-cutting ants, present a considerable challenge in terms of control. Leaf-cutting ants are significant agricultural, forestry, and pasture pests, and understanding their behavior and defense mechanisms is essential for managing their colonies effectively. While toxic ant baits are a primary control method, the limited availability of effective insecticides and concerns over their hazardous nature has spurred the search for alternative solutions, particularly natural compounds, which aligns with the goals of forest certification groups.

Acute exposure to fungicide fluazinam induces cell death in the midgut, oxidative stress and alters behavior of the stingless bee Partamona helleri (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

Stingless bees (Hymenoptera: Meliponini) are pollinators of both cultivated and wild crop plants in the Neotropical region. However, they are susceptible to pesticide exposure during foraging activities. The fungicide fluazinam is commonly applied in bean and sunflower cultivation during the flowering period, posing a potential risk to the stingless bee Partamona helleri, which serves as a pollinator for these crops.

Exposure to low-concentration fipronil impairs survival, behavior, midgut morphology and physiology of Aedes aegypti larvae.

The Aedes aegypti mosquito is a vector for various arboviruses, including dengue and yellow fever. Insecticides, such as pyrethroids and organophosphates, are widely used to manage and control these insects. However, mosquitoes have developed resistance to these chemicals.

A mixture of mesotrione and atrazine harms adults and larvae of the predatory wasp Polistes satan.

Herbicides have been intensively used for weed control, raising concerns about their potentially adverse effects on non-target organisms. Research on the effects of these common agrochemicals on beneficial insects and the ecosystem services they provide (e.g.

Effects of acephate and glyphosate-based agrochemicals on the survival and flight of Plebeia lucii Moure, 2004 (Apidae: Meliponini).

The conservation of terrestrial ecosystems depends largely on the preservation of pollinators, mainly bees. Stingless bees are among the main pollinators of native plants and crops in tropical regions, where they can be exposed to agrochemicals while foraging on contaminated flowers. In the present study, we investigated the effects on stingless bees of both a commonly used insecticide and herbicide in Brazil.

A predatory social wasp does not avoid nestmates contaminated with a fungal biopesticide.

Fungus-based biopesticides have been used worldwide for crop pest control as a safer alternative to chemical pesticides such as neonicotinoids. Both agrochemicals can be lethal and may also trigger side effects on the behavioral traits of non-target social insects, which play a crucial role in providing essential biological pest control services in agroecosystems. Here, we evaluated whether a commercial formulation of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana or the neonicotinoid imidacloprid causes mortality in foragers of Mischocyttarus metathoracicus.

Investigating the effects of mesotrione/atrazine-based herbicide on honey bee foragers.

A mixture of the herbicides mesotrione and atrazine (Calaris®) is a widely used herbicide in agriculture in several countries. However, the possible toxicological effects of this formulation on non-target organisms require investigation. In this study, the effects of acute oral exposure to Calaris® were evaluated in Apis mellifera foragers.

Ingesting microplastics or nanometals during development harms the tropical pollinator Partamona helleri (Apinae: Meliponini).

The disposal of plastics and metal-derived compounds results in the contamination of the environment with nano/microparticles, leading to the exposure of various organisms to these harmful particles. However, the impacts of these particles on pollinating insects, which provide relevant ecosystem services, are not well understood. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of microscopic particles on the tropical pollinator Partamona helleri (Apinae: Meliponini), specifically evaluating the toxicity of plastic microparticles (polystyrene - PS, and polyethylene terephthalate - PET) and nanoparticles of a metal oxide (titanium dioxide - TiO) via larval ingestion by bees reared in vitro.

The impact of early-life exposure to three agrochemicals on survival, behavior, and gut microbiota of stingless bees (Partamona helleri).

Over the last few decades, agrochemicals have been partially associated with a global reduction in bees' population. Toxicological assessment is therefore crucial for understanding the overall agrochemical risks to stingless bees. Therefore, the lethal and sublethal effects of agrochemicals commonly used in crops (copper sulfate, glyphosate, and spinosad) on the behavior and gut microbiota of the stingless bee, Partamona helleri, were assessed using chronic exposure during the larval stage.

Ingestion of polystyrene microparticles impairs survival and defecation in larvae of Polistes satan (Hymenoptera: Vespidae).

Microplastics (MPs) are widespread pollutants of emerging concern, and the risks associated with their ingestion have been reported in many organisms. Terrestrial environments can be contaminated with MPs, and terrestrial organisms, including arthropods, are predisposed to the risk of ingesting MPs. In the current study, the larvae of the paper wasp Polistes satan were fed two different doses (6 mg or 16 mg at once) of polystyrene MPs (1.

Fipronil exposure compromises respiration and damages the Malpighian tubules of the stingless bee Partamona helleri Friese (Hymenoptera: Apidae).

Fipronil has been widely used in agriculture and forestry in Brazil to control several pests. However, this insecticide may be hazardous to non-target organisms, including stingless bees, which are essential pollinators of crops and natural environments. Here, we investigated the effect of 24-h acute oral exposure to LC of fipronil on the Malpighian tubules of the stingless bee Partamona helleri (Friese).

Heat stress negatively affects physiology and morphology during germination of Ormosia coarctata (Fabaceae, Papilionoideae).

Research on the morphophysiological behavior of forest seeds during germination with respect to climate change is scarce. To date, there have been no studies on the biochemical or morphological aspects of Ormosia spp. In this study, we subjected Ormosia coarctata seeds to various temperature conditions to investigate temperature-dependent impacts on morphology, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, antioxidant systems, and storage systems.

Exposure to copper sulfate impairs survival, post-embryonic midgut development and reproduction in Aedes aegypti.

Aedes aegypti is a vector of several global human viruses responsible for high human morbidity and mortality. The method to prevent the transmission of vector-borne viruses is mainly based on the control of the insect vector using insecticides. Among these chemicals, copper sulfate is a compound widely used in agriculture with the potential to be used as an alternative to control these insects.

Chronic exposure to a common biopesticide is detrimental to individuals and colonies of the paper wasp Polistes versicolor.

Risk assessments of agrochemicals on non-target insects are biased in studies with surrogate groups, such as pollinators. In social insects, such investigations are generally restricted to lethal tests with adults maintained individually, simulating a non-realistic scenario. Here, we performed a holistic approach to resemble a chronic field exposure of Polistes versicolor (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) to a common biopesticide.

Toxicological assessment of agrochemicals on bees using machine learning tools.

Machine learning (ML) is a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) that enables the analysis of complex multivariate data. ML has significant potential in risk assessments of non-target insects for modeling the multiple factors affecting insect health, including the adverse effects of agrochemicals. Here, the potential of ML for risk assessments of glyphosate (herbicide; formulation) and imidacloprid (insecticide, neonicotinoid; formulation) on the stingless bee Melipona quadrifasciata was explored.

Impact of copper sulfate on survival, behavior, midgut morphology, and antioxidant activity of Partamona helleri (Apidae: Meliponini).

Copper sulfate (CuSO) is widely used in agriculture as a pesticide and foliar fertilizer. However, the possible environmental risks associated with CuSO use, particularly related to pollinating insects, have been poorly studied. In this study, we evaluated both lethal and sublethal effects of CuSO on the stingless bee Partamona helleri.

A Genetically Modified Anti-Plasmodium Bacterium Is Harmless to the Foragers of the Stingless Bee Partamona helleri.

Paratransgenesis consists of genetically engineering an insect symbiont to control vector-borne diseases. Biosafety assessments are a prerequisite for the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Assessments rely on the measurement of the possible impacts of GMOs on different organisms, including beneficial organisms, such as pollinators.

Harmful effects of fipronil exposure on the behavior and brain of the stingless bee Partamona helleri Friese (Hymenoptera: Meliponini).

Fipronil is a pesticide widely used to control agricultural and household insect pests. However, fipronil is highly toxic to non-target insects, including pollinators. In this study, we investigated the acute effects of fipronil on the behavior, brain morphology, antioxidant activity, and proteins related to signaling pathways on the brain of workers of the stingless bee Partamona helleri.

Heat stress-mediated effects on the morphophysiological, biochemical, and ultrastructural parameters of germinating Melanoxylon brauna Schott. seeds.

The present study showed that the heat stress (40 °C) caused changes in morphophysiological, biochemical, and ultrastructural parameters to the seeds Melanoxylon brauna, ultimately leading to loss of germination capacity. Temperature is an abiotic factor that influences seed germination. In the present study, we investigated morphophysiological, biochemical, and ultrastructural changes during the germination of Melanoxylon brauna seeds under heat stress.

Ethoflow: Computer Vision and Artificial Intelligence-Based Software for Automatic Behavior Analysis.

Manual monitoring of animal behavior is time-consuming and prone to bias. An alternative to such limitations is using computational resources in behavioral assessments, such as tracking systems, to facilitate accurate and long-term evaluations. There is a demand for robust software that addresses analysis in heterogeneous environments (such as in field conditions) and evaluates multiple individuals in groups while maintaining their identities.

Effects of sub-lethal doses of nisin on the virulence of Salmonella enterica in Galleria mellonella larvae.

Salmonella enterica is a pathogen that induces self-limiting gastroenteritis and is of worldwide concern. Nisin, an antimicrobial peptide, has emerged as an alternative for the control of microbial growth but its effect on the virulence of pathogenic bacteria is not yet well-explored. This work aimed to evaluate the virulence of S.