Evaluation of the effects of thiamethoxam on enzymatic activity of Apis mellifera

Abstract

The neonicotinoid insecticides are widely used in agriculture, and because of being systemic insecticides they are readily translocated within the plant, contaminating pollen and nectar. Thus, in addition to these insecticides act on insect pests, they can contaminate non-target insects such as Apis mellifera. Not only the forage can be exposed to these insecticides, but the larvae that depend on floral resources collected for food. In this context, this work aims to evaluate the effects of sublethal doses of thiamethoxam on the enzyme system of Apis mellifera during larval, pupal and newly emerged stages. For this, will be conducted laboratory bioassays of acute poisoning and continuous, in which the larvae are contaminated via food with sublethal doses of thiamethoxam. At the end of these experiments, brains and intestines will be collected and submitted to analysis of enzyme acetylcholinesterase, carboxylesterase, glutathione-S-transferase and alkaline phosphatase in order to test the possible effect of intoxication on patterns of these enzymes. The data will be statistically reviewed and the results analyzed. (AU)