Effects of realistic doses of atrazine, metolachlor, and glyphosate on lipid peroxidation and diet-derived antioxidants in caged honey bees (Apis mellifera)

Abstract

The decline in the population of pollinators is a worrying phenomenon worldwide. In North America, the extensive use of herbicides in maize and soya crops may affect the health of nontarget organisms like the honey bee. In this study, caged honey bees were exposed to realistic doses of atrazine, metolachlor, and glyphosate for 10 days via contaminated syrup. Peroxidation of lipids was evaluated using the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) test, and diet-derived antioxidants-carotenoids, all-trans-retinol (at-ROH) and α-tocopherol-were detected and quantified using reversed-phase HPLC techniques. Significant increases in syrup consumption were observed in honey bees exposed to metolachlor, and a lower TBARS value was recorded for the highest dose. No relationship was observed between the peroxidation of lipids and the levels of antioxidants. However, β-carotene, which was found to be the most abundant carotenoid, and at-ROH (derived from β-carotene) both decreased with increasing doses of atrazine and glyphosate. In contrast, metolachlor increased levels of at-ROH without any effects on β-carotene. These results show that the honey bee carotenoid-retinoid system may be altered by sublethal field-realistic doses of herbicides.

Complete nutrient content of four species of commercially available feeder insects fed enhanced diets during growth

“…The lutein in crickets and superworms is likely accumulated from their diet whereas the lutein and zeaxanthin found in waxworms is likely a combination of accumulation from the diet and synthesis from dietary b-carotene. Wild caught insects contain significant amounts of a variety of carotenoids some of which may serve as a source of vitamin A for insectivores [Arnold et al, 2010;Eeva et al, 2010;Helmer et al, 2015;Newbrey et al, 2013]. In addition to their role as precursors for vitamin A carotenoids may play other important roles in coloration, immune response, and reproduction in insectivores [McGraw and Toomey, 2010;Ogilvy et al, 2012;Brenes-Soto and Dierenfeld, 2014].…”

Low dietary levels of Al, Pb and Cd may affect the non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity in caged honey bees (Apis mellifera)

“…Cage exposure was based on a previous experiment that followed the Organisation de Coop eration et de D eveloppement Economiques (OCDE) protocol (Hedrei Helmer et al, 2014). The exposure levels were based on the metal concentrations measured in pollen from maize fields collected in 2012.…”

Common Methods for Tallgrass Prairie Restoration and Their Potential Effects on Bee Diversity

“…Glyphosate, the most commonly reported herbicide, is used to assist in land clearing and as part of general maintenance to control invasive plant species. It has been shown to affect navigation and beta-carotene levels in honey bees (Helmer et al 2014;Balbuena et al 2015) among other effects, although this is not likely to be a long-term problem for bees in prairies due to the limited use after establishment and short persistence in soils (Syan et al 2014). However, significant concern has been raised about the persistence of other agrochemicals, particularly neonicotinoids, in the soil after a site is reconstructed (Goulson 2013).…”