Science updates: Effects of copper and zinc on honey bees

 

Science updates:

Effects of copper and zinc on honey bees

The research article titled "Impact of Copper and Zinc Oral Chronic Exposure on Carniolan Honey Bee Survival and Feeding Preference" discusses the effects of copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) exposure on the survival and feeding behavior of Carniolan honey bees. The study investigated the impact of chronic oral exposure to different concentrations of Cu and Zn on honey bee workers in laboratory conditions. The findings revealed that both metals led to increased mortality in honey bee workers in a concentration-dependent manner, with Cu being more toxic than Zn. Additionally, the study conducted 2-choice feeding experiments, demonstrating that honey bees preferred Zn-containing solutions compared to the control diet, suggesting a feeding preference for Zn. The research also highlighted the potential adverse effects of ecologically relevant concentrations of Cu and Zn on honey bee workers, emphasizing the need for cautious use of these metals in the environment.

 

Furthermore, the introduction of the document discusses the significance of honey bees as important plant pollinators and honey producers and the potential decline in their populations due to environmental contamination with metals, such as Cu and Zn. The document emphasizes the common use of Cu and Zn salts as fungicides and foliar fertilizers and the routes of honey bee exposure to these metals through nectar and pollen from contaminated plants. The study also touches upon the adverse effects of chronic and acute exposure to metals, the accumulation of metals in honey bee tissues and products, and the potential impact on the entire honey bee colony. It also mentions other studies that have reported negative effects of metals, such as Cd, Se, Pb, and Mn, on honey bee survival, feeding, and cognitive abilities.

 

The materials and methods section describes the experimental setup for testing the effects of chronic oral exposure to Cu and Zn on honey bee workers. The study involved the use of different concentrations of CuSO4 and ZnCl2 in sucrose solutions, and the effects on honey bee survival and feeding rates were monitored. The results showed that Cu and Zn induced mortality in honey bee workers, and the feeding rate decreased with an increase in Zn concentration. The document also presents the statistical analyses conducted to evaluate the differences in survival and feeding rates among the experimental groups.

 

 

In conclusion, the study provides valuable insights into the effects of Cu and Zn on honey bee survival and feeding behavior, highlighting the toxicity of these metals and the preference of honey bees for Zn-containing solutions. The research underscores the need for further investigation into the potential risks of metal exposure to honey bee populations and emphasizes the importance of cautious use of Cu and Zn in agricultural practices to mitigate the adverse effects on pollinators.

 

Reference:

Glavan, G., Benko, G., & Božič, J. (2024). Impact of copper and zinc oral chronic exposure on Carniolan honey bee survival and feeding preference. Journal of Economic Entomology, toae108.

 

 

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