Son, M.; Kim, J.; Kim, D.; Lee, C.-H.; Akongte, P.N.; Oh, D.; Choi, Y.-S.; Park, B.-S. Effects of Clothianidin Pesticide Application on the Strength of Honey Bee Colonies and Stress-Related Genes in the Vicinity of Rice Fields in the Republic of Korea. Diversity2023, 15, 1217.
Son, M.; Kim, J.; Kim, D.; Lee, C.-H.; Akongte, P.N.; Oh, D.; Choi, Y.-S.; Park, B.-S. Effects of Clothianidin Pesticide Application on the Strength of Honey Bee Colonies and Stress-Related Genes in the Vicinity of Rice Fields in the Republic of Korea. Diversity 2023, 15, 1217.
Son, M.; Kim, J.; Kim, D.; Lee, C.-H.; Akongte, P.N.; Oh, D.; Choi, Y.-S.; Park, B.-S. Effects of Clothianidin Pesticide Application on the Strength of Honey Bee Colonies and Stress-Related Genes in the Vicinity of Rice Fields in the Republic of Korea. Diversity2023, 15, 1217.
Son, M.; Kim, J.; Kim, D.; Lee, C.-H.; Akongte, P.N.; Oh, D.; Choi, Y.-S.; Park, B.-S. Effects of Clothianidin Pesticide Application on the Strength of Honey Bee Colonies and Stress-Related Genes in the Vicinity of Rice Fields in the Republic of Korea. Diversity 2023, 15, 1217.
Abstract
Honey bees are vital organisms that provide ecological and economic value to humans. However, in recent years, the increase in honey bee losses due to various environmental factors, including pesticides, has become a growing concern. In Europe, neonicotinoid pesticides that are banned are being used without restrictions in the domestic setting, leading to ongoing damages as a result. Ongoing research is continually being conducted to demonstrate the risks associated with neonicotinoid pesticides. However, validation of the actual damages and impact in the field remains absent. Therefore, in this study, we observed changes in honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies located near rice cultivation areas as they progressed beyond the rice pesticide application period. Furthermore, we collected honey bees exposed to the clothianidin and analyzed their stress-related gene expression. The results showed that the foraging behavior of honey bee colonies located near rice cultivation areas did not exhibit significant differences between the treatment site (Cheongyang and Gimje) and the control site (Wanju) during the experimental period. However, it was observed that the expression levels of stress-related genes in honey bees collected from the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control. Most of the stress-related genes were associated with detoxification processes in response to pesticides. As a result, pesticide treatment in proximity to rice cultivation areas did not cause direct damage to honey bees but had an indirect impact, suggesting the potential for ongoing chronic damage.
Biology and Life Sciences, Agricultural Science and Agronomy
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
,
*
