Effects of abamectin and acetamiprid pesticides on the survival and behavior of Scaptotrigona aff. xanthotricha (Apidae, Meliponini)

• Published in: Journal of apicultural research Vol. 61; no. 1; pp. 37 - 44
• Main Authors: Ferreira, Maria Fernanda de Oliveira, Fraga, Rafael de, Barros, Emerson Cristi de, Augusto, Solange Cristina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 01.01.2022
• Subjects: abamectin; acetamiprid; avermectin; locomotor activity; neonicotinoid; proboscis extension reflex; stingless bees
• ISSN: 0021-8839; 2078-6913
• DOI: 10.1080/00218839.2020.1835262

Pesticides have been described as a major cause of bee mortality, and thus are predictors of population decline and decrease in pollination services. Standardized tests with Apis mellifera are already common, and there is a need to create adequate parameters for the native solitary and eusocial species of stingless bees. In this study, we evaluated lethal dosages (LD 50 and LD 90 ), lethal time (LT), and sub-lethal effects (SLE) of two pesticides used in soybean crops, abamectin, and acetamiprid, in Scaptotrigona aff. xanthotricha. All tests were performed through contact poisoning. The LD 50 and LD 90 for acetamiprid were higher than those obtained for abamectin. Survival analysis of S. aff. xanthotricha exposed to LD 90 indicated significant differences between pesticides. The LT 50 under abamectin (8.25 hours) was significantly lower than acetamiprid (14.25 hours). Considering the PER tests, our results suggest that positive responses to food offerings were reduced by pesticide effects. It was also observed that only the acetamiprid affected the locomotion of the bees. Our results revealed that both pesticides are highly toxic to S. aff. xanthotricha and that acetamiprid was the most toxic for all parameters evaluated.