Sobrevivência e capacidade de voo da Abelha apis mellifera (hymenoptera: apidae) após exposição direta e oral a antranilamidas e espinosinas.

Abstract

Bees are considered the most important group of pollinators, especially the species Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae). However, the excessive use of pesticides is identified as responsible for the death of bees in agricultural areas on a global scale. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of commercial doses of the insecticides Chlorantraniliprole, Ciantraniliprole, Espinetoram and Espinosade, recommended for different cultures, on the survival and flight capacity of adult workers of the Africanized bee A. mellifera, widely used in Brazil.The studies were carried out in the Entomology Laboratory (heated room at 25 ± 2 ºC, 60 ± 10% RH and 12 h photophase) of the Center for Agro-Food Science and Technology (CCTA) of the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), Campus Pombal -PB, Brazil. For the execution of the work, adult workers of the Africanized bee A. mellifera were used, coming from three hives installed in Langstroth-type wooden boxes, belonging to the CCTA/UFCG apiary. Toxicity levels were evaluated through bioassays, corresponding to two forms of exposure: direct spraying on bees and contaminated diet using five commercial doses, registered for pest control in different cultures. Conducted in a completely randomized design, with 10 replications for each treatment. Survival test and flight test were performed. The insecticides Espinetoram (Delegate®) and Spinosad (Tracer®), belonging to the chemical group Espinosina, were extremely toxic to A. mellifera via ingestion of contaminated diet and via direct spraying, regardless of the dose used. After exposure to spinosyns, the motor activity of A. mellifera bees was impaired, and tremors and paralysis were observed. The insecticides belonging to the chemical group Antranilamide, Chlorantraniliprole (Premio®) and Ciantraniliprole (Benevia®), caused low toxicity to bees, regardless of the exposure method and dose used, being, therefore, less harmful to the pollinator. All insecticides evaluated, belonging to two chemical groups, affected the flight activity of A. mellifera, regardless of the exposure mode and dose evaluated. These data will help in projects involving sustainable management, consequently the conservation of these pollinators in agricultural areas.