Effect of Flupyradifurone Insecticides on Memory and Learning Behavior in Bombus terrestris Workers

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effects of Flupyradifurone (FPF), identified as a novel insecticide, on the learning and memory abilities of Bombus terrestris workers. In the research, the learning and memory performance of workers fed with sugar syrup containing different concentrations of FPF (0, 1/100, 1/10, 1/1, 2/1 of the recommended application dose of 60 ml/100 L water) was tested. The study involved applications that assessed the worker bees’ responses to lavender scent through classical conditioning and tested their memory at specific time intervals. The findings revealed that exposure to FPF did not significantly impair the bees' learning and memory abilities. However, the group exposed to the highest concentration demonstrated slower learning rates and reduced memory performance. This study highlights the potential neurotoxic effects of FPF and its negative impact on the foraging abilities of bumblebees, emphasizing the ecological risks of insecticides marketed as environmentally friendly. The results underscore the need for further comprehensive research on the environmental impacts of FPF.

Keywords

• Bumblebee
• Bombus terrestris
• Flupyradifurone
• Learning and memory

Yeni Nesil İnsektisit Flupyradifurone’un Bombus terrestris İşçi Arılarının Öğrenme ve Hafıza Davranışına Etkisi

Abstract

Bu çalışmada, yeni nesil insektisit olarak tanımlanan Flupyradifurone’un (FPF) Bombus terrestris işçi arılarının öğrenme ve hafıza yetenekleri üzerine etkilerinin belirlenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırmada, FPF’nin önerilen uygulama dozunu (60 ml/100 L.su) farklı oranlarda (0, 1/100, 1/10, 1/1, 2/1) içeren şeker şurubu ile beslenen arıların öğrenme ve hafıza performansları test edilmiştir. Araştırma kapsamında, işçi arıların lavanta kokusuna klasik koşullandırma yöntemiyle tepkileri ve belirli zaman dilimlerinde hafızalarını test eden uygulamalar gerçekleştirilmiştir. Bulgulara göre, FPF’ye maruz kalan arıların öğrenme ve hafıza yeteneklerinin önemli ölçüde etkilenmediği belirlenmiştir. Ancak, en yüksek doz uygulanan grupta öğrenme hızının ve hafıza yeteneğinin düşük olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Bu çalışma, FPF’nin nörotoksik etkilerini ve bombus arılarının tarlacılık yeteneklerini olumsuz etkileyebileceğini ortaya koyarak, çevre dostu olarak sunulan insektisitlerin ekolojik risklerini vurgulamaktadır. Çalışma sonuçları, FPF’nin çevresel etkileri üzerine daha kapsamlı araştırmalara duyulan ihtiyacı ortaya koymaktadır.

Keywords

• bombus arısı
• Bombus terrestris
• Flupyradifurone
• Öğrenme ve hafıza

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