scholarly journals Potential Risk to Pollinators from Nanotechnology-Based Pesticides

Molecules ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (24) ◽  
pp. 4458 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louisa A. Hooven ◽  
Priyadarshini Chakrabarti ◽  
Bryan J. Harper ◽  
Ramesh R. Sagili ◽  
Stacey L. Harper
Keyword(s):  
Potential Risk ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Environmental Contaminants ◽  
Particle Sizes ◽  
Multiple Factors ◽  
Pesticide Formulations ◽  
Insect Pollinators ◽  
Global Concern ◽  
Structural Adaptations ◽  
Multiple Particle

The decline in populations of insect pollinators is a global concern. While multiple factors are implicated, there is uncertainty surrounding the contribution of certain groups of pesticides to losses in wild and managed bees. Nanotechnology-based pesticides (NBPs) are formulations based on multiple particle sizes and types. By packaging active ingredients in engineered particles, NBPs offer many benefits and novel functions, but may also exhibit different properties in the environment when compared with older pesticide formulations. These new properties raise questions about the environmental disposition and fate of NBPs and their exposure to pollinators. Pollinators such as honey bees have evolved structural adaptations to collect pollen, but also inadvertently gather other types of environmental particles which may accumulate in hive materials. Knowledge of the interaction between pollinators, NBPs, and other types of particles is needed to better understand their exposure to pesticides, and essential for characterizing risk from diverse environmental contaminants. The present review discusses the properties, benefits and types of nanotechnology-based pesticides, the propensity of bees to collect such particles and potential impacts on bee pollinators.

scholarly journals Polarizability-dependent Sorting of Microparticles Using Continuous-flow Dielectrophoretic Chromatography with a Frequency Modulation Method

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasper Giesler ◽  
Georg R. Pesch ◽  
Laura Weirauch ◽  
Marc-Peter Schmidt ◽  
Jorg Thöming ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chromatographic Separation ◽  
Continuous Flow ◽  
Research Field ◽  
Modulation Method ◽  
Particle Sizes ◽  
Frequency Bandwidth ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Particle Properties ◽  
Multiple Particle ◽  
Multiple Trap And Release

The separation of microparticles with respect to different properties such as size and material is a research field of great interest. Dielectrophoresis, a phenomenon which is capable of addressing multiple particle properties at once, can be used to perform a chromatographic separation. However, the selectivity of current dielectrophoretic particle chromatography (DPC) techniques is limited. Here we show a new approach for DPC based on differences in the dielectrophoretic mobilities and the crossover frequencies of polystyrene particles. Both differences are addressed by modulating the frequency of the electric field to generate positive and negative dielectrophoretic movement to achieve multiple trap and release cycles of the particles. A chromatographic separation of different particle sizes revealed a voltage dependency of this method. Additionally, we showed the frequency bandwidth influence on separation using one example. The DPC method developed was tested with model particles but offers possibilities to separate a broad range of plastic and metal microparticles or cells and to overcome currently existing limitations in selectivity.

scholarly journals Acttra SWD Bait Formulation Against Drosophila Suzukii and its Compatibility with Berry Pollination by the Honey Bee, Apis Mellifera

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-290
Author(s):  
Ricardo Alberto Toledo-Hernández ◽  
Mónica Pulido-Enríquez ◽  
Francisco Landeros-Pedro ◽  
Douglas Rodríguez ◽  
Daniel Sánchez
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Crop Protection ◽  
Spotted Wing Drosophila ◽  
Drosophila Suzukii ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Complete Coverage ◽  
Ecological Benefits ◽  
Insect Pollinators ◽  
Insect Populations

Abstract Crop protection substances are continuously developed to prevent the decimation of non-target insect populations through insecticide use. The bait formulation Acttra SWD was created to attract the adult spotted-wing drosophila, a generalist pest of berries, and when mixed with insecticide would cause a reduction in the volume of insecticide applied, thus avoiding a complete coverage of crops and resulting in economic and ecological benefits to society. However, Acttra SWD has some compounds, including sugars and fruit odors, that might attract non-target fauna, especially insect pollinators. Therefore this study aimed (1) to investigate if Acttra SWD mixed with the recommended pesticide, i.e. spinosad (Entrust), is attractive to the honey bee, which is extensively used for berry pollination and (2) to evaluate the insecticidal activity of Acttra/Entrust in oral and contact tests on the same species. In all replicates, most foragers rejected feeders that offered Acttra/Entrust, and some switched to Acttra/Entrust-free feeders. Accordingly, mortality caused by this mixture in oral tests was low and did not differ from control, since the majority of bees did not consume the Acttra/Entrust treatment. However, mortality caused by this mixture was higher than in control groups in topical tests. Our results indicate that honey bees will not be attracted to and poisoned by crops sprayed with Acttra/Entrust, but contact with the bait would result in lethal or sub-lethal effects.

scholarly journals Beehives possess their own distinct microbiomes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lorenzo Santorelli ◽  
Toby Wilkinson ◽  
Ronke Abdulmalik ◽  
Yuma Rai ◽  
Christopher J. Creevey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
16S Rdna ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Plant Material ◽  
Surrounding Environment ◽  
Insect Pollinators ◽  
Tremendous Amount ◽  
Environmental Bacteria ◽  
Local Plants ◽  
Bacterial Groups ◽  
Different Parts

AbstractHoney bees use plant material to manufacture their own food. These insect pollinators visit flowers repeatedly to collect nectar and pollen, which are shared with other hive bees to produce honey and beebread. While producing these products, beehives accumulate a tremendous amount of microbes, including bacteria that derive from plants and different parts of the honey bees’ body. In this study, we conducted 16S rDNA metataxonomic analysis on honey and beebread samples that were collected from 15 beehives in the southeast of England in order to quantify the bacteria associated with beehives. The results highlighted that honeybee products carry a significant variety of bacterial groups that comprise bee commensals, environmental bacteria and pathogens of plants and animals. Remarkably, this bacterial diversity differs amongst the beehives, suggesting a defined fingerprint that is affected, not only by the nectar and pollen gathered from local plants, but also from other environmental sources. In summary, our results show that every hive possesses their own distinct microbiome, and that honeybee products are valuable indicators of the bacteria present in the beehives and their surrounding environment.

scholarly journals Changing climate patterns risk the spread of Varroa destructor infestation of African honey bees in Tanzania

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard A. Giliba ◽  
Issa H. Mpinga ◽  
Sood A. Ndimuligo ◽  
Mathew M. Mpanda
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Potential Risk ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Varroa Destructor ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Climate Change Scenarios ◽  
Economic Implications ◽  
Pests And Diseases ◽  
Future Risk ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Climate change creates opportune conditions that favour the spread of pests and diseases outside their known active range. Modelling climate change scenarios is oftentimes useful tool to assess the climate analogues to unveil the potential risk of spreading suitability conditions for pests and diseases and hence allows development of appropriate responses to address the impending challenge. In the current study, we modelled the impact of climate change on the distribution of Varroa destructor, a parasitic mite that attacks all life forms of honey bees and remains a significant threat to their survival and productivity of bee products in Tanzania and elsewhere. Methods The data about the presence of V. destructor were collected in eight regions of Tanzania selected in consideration of several factors including potentials for beekeeping activities, elevation (highlands vs. lowlands) and differences in climatic conditions. A total of 19 bioclimatic datasets covering the entire country were used for developing climate scenarios of mid-century 2055 and late-century 2085 for both rcp4.5 and rcp8.5. We thereafter modelled the current and future risk distribution of V. destructor using MaxEnt. Results The results indicated a model performance of AUC = 0.85, with mean diurnal range in temperature (Bio2, 43.9%), mean temperature (Bio1, 20.6%) and mean annual rainfall (Bio12, 11.7%) as the important variables. Future risk projections indicated mixed responses of the potential risk of spreads of V. destructor, exhibiting both decrease and increases in the mid-century 2055 and late-century 2085 on different sites. Overall, there is a general decline of highly suitable areas of V. destructor in mid- and late-century across all scenarios (rcp4.5 and rcp8.5). The moderately suitable areas indicated a mixed response in mid-century with decline (under rcp4.5) and increase (under rcp8.5) and consistent increase in late century. The marginally suitable areas show a decline in mid-century and increase in late-century. Our results suggest that the climate change will continue to significantly affect the distribution and risks spread of V. destructor in Tanzania. The suitability range of V. destructor will shift where highly suitable areas will be diminishing to the advantage of the honey bees’ populations, but increase of moderately suitable sites indicates an expansion to new areas. The late century projections show the increased risks due to surge in the moderate and marginal suitability which means expansion in the areas where V. destructor will operate. Conclusion The current and predicted areas of habitat suitability for V. destructor’s host provides information useful for beekeeping stakeholders in Tanzania to consider the impending risks and allow adequate interventions to address challenges facing honey bees and the beekeeping industry. We recommend further studies on understanding the severity of V. destructor in health and stability of the honey bees in Tanzania. This will provide a better picture on how the country will need to monitor and reduce the risks associated with the increase of V. destructor activities as triggered by climate change. The loss of honey bees’ colonies and its subsequent impact in bees’ products production and pollination effect have both ecological and economic implications that need to have prioritization by the stakeholders in the country to address the challenge of spreading V. destructor.

scholarly journals Effects of different thermal sintering temperatures on pattern resistivity of printed silver ink with multiple particle sizes

AIP Advances ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 115116
Author(s):  
Zhiheng Yu ◽  
Fengli Huang ◽  
Tiancheng Zhang ◽  
Chengli Tang ◽  
Xihua Cui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Sizes ◽  
Silver Ink ◽  
Thermal Sintering ◽  
Multiple Particle

War-torn Afghanistan - potential risk to the polio eradication efforts: A call for global concern!

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Usman Ayub Awan ◽  
Muhammad Wasif Malik ◽  
Haroon Ahmed ◽  
Usman Hassan ◽  
Abdul Sami Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potential Risk ◽  
Polio Eradication ◽  
Global Concern

DNA barcoding implicates 23 species and four orders as potential pollinators of Chinese knotweed (Persicaria chinensis) in Peninsular Malaysia

2015 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 515-520 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.-M. Wong ◽  
C.-L. Lim ◽  
J.-J. Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Invasive Plant ◽  
Dna Barcode ◽  
Morphological Diversity ◽  
Peninsular Malaysia ◽  
Economic Importance ◽  
Insect Pollinators ◽  
Scant Attention ◽  
Barcode Gap

AbstractChinese knotweed (Persicaria chinensis) is of ecological and economic importance as a high-risk invasive species and a traditional medicinal herb. However, the insects associated with P. chinensis pollination have received scant attention. As a widespread invasive plant we would expect P. chinensis to be associated with a diverse group of insect pollinators, but lack of taxonomic identification capacity is an impediment to confirm this expectation. In the present study we aimed to elucidate the insect pollinators of P. chinensis in peninsular Malaysia using DNA barcoding. Forty flower visitors, representing the range of morphological diversity observed, were captured at flowers at Ulu Kali, Pahang, Malaysia. Using Automated Barcode Gap Discovery, 17 morphospecies were assigned to 23 species representing at least ten families and four orders. Using the DNA barcode library (BOLD) 30% of the species could be assigned a species name, and 70% could be assigned a genus name. The insects visiting P. chinensis were broadly similar to those previously reported as visiting Persicaria japonica, including honey bees (Apis), droneflies (Eristalis), blowflies (Lucilia) and potter wasps (Eumedes), but also included thrips and ants.

scholarly journals Long-term field-realistic exposure to a next-generation pesticide, flupyradifurone, impairs honey bee behaviour and survival

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Tosi ◽  
James C. Nieh ◽  
Annely Brandt ◽  
Monica Colli ◽  
Julie Fourrier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Global Scale ◽  
Risk Assessments ◽  
Ring Test ◽  
Emerging Contaminant ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Insect Pollinators ◽  
Impact Of Pesticides ◽  
Term Field

AbstractThe assessment of pesticide risks to insect pollinators have typically focused on short-term, lethal impacts. The environmental ramifications of many of the world’s most commonly employed pesticides, such as those exhibiting systemic properties that can result in long-lasting exposure to insects, may thus be severely underestimated. Here, seven laboratories from Europe and North America performed a standardised experiment (a ring-test) to study the long-term lethal and sublethal impacts of the relatively recently approved ‘bee safe’ butenolide pesticide flupyradifurone (FPF, active ingredient in Sivanto®) on honey bees. The emerging contaminant, FPF, impaired bee survival and behaviour at field-realistic doses (down to 11 ng/bee/day, corresponding to 400 µg/kg) that were up to 101-fold lower than those reported by risk assessments (1110 ng/bee/day), despite an absence of time-reinforced toxicity. Our findings raise concerns about the chronic impact of pesticides on pollinators at a global scale and support a novel methodology for a refined risk assessment.

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