Evaluation of sub-lethal residual effects of bifenthrin on health biomarkers and performance of Apis mellifera L.

Muhammad Usman Yousuf, Muhammad Anjum Aqueel, Rohma Amal, Shams Ul Islam, Muhammad Saqib, Wasim Javaid, Muhammad Hamza Khan

Abstract


Apis mellifera L. face growing threats from sub-lethal pesticide exposure that disrupts their physiology and behavior, endangering colony survival and pollination efficiency. The present study evaluated the residual sub-lethal effects of bifenthrin on key health biomarkers, social interactions, and foraging behavior of worker honey bees under laboratory and semi-field conditions. Bees were exposed to four bifenthrin treatment levels along with a control group. Phenoloxidase (PO) activity, lifespan, antennation, trophallaxis, and foraging behavior were assessed using standard protocols and subjected to statistical analysis. PO activity was highest in the control group (26.64 ± 1.11 U/mg tissue) and lowest in the T1 treatment (8.90 ± 0.59 U/mg tissue). Lifespan declined from 43.00 ± 0.58 days (control) to 34.33 ± 0.33 days (T1). Similarly, antennation and trophallaxis frequencies decreased from 65.00 ± 4.93 and 45.00 ± 4.04 bees/event (control) to 37.00 ± 3.46 and 21.33 ± 3.18 bees/event (T1), respectively. Foraging activity, including incoming and pollen-carrying bees, also declined significantly, from 349.00 ± 17.58 to 237.00 ± 11.59 bees/5 min and from 121.67 ± 6.12 to 76.33 ± 5.93 bees/5 min, respectively. Strong positive correlations were observed among behavioral and physiological parameters, indicating their interdependence in maintaining colony performance. These findings demonstrate that residual sub-lethal exposure to bifenthrin significantly impairs immunity, longevity, social interaction, and foraging efficiency in A. mellifera, posing serious risks to colony health. Future studies should clarify the mechanisms of these impairments, employ diverse biomarkers, and develop pollinator-safe pest management strategies. 


Keywords


Apis mellifera, Bifenthrin, Sub-lethal residual exposure, Phenoloxidase activity, Foraging behavior

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.33804/pp.009.04.5897

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