吡虫啉大田使用剂量对意大利蜜蜂工蜂学习和记忆的影响

【目的】吡虫啉(imidaclorprid)是新烟碱类农药中使用最为广泛的农药种类,作用于蜜蜂脑部的烟碱型乙酰胆碱受体,此外,吡虫啉对蜜蜂生长发育有一定影响。本研究旨在明确吡虫啉大田使用剂量对蜜蜂学习、记忆行为的影响,为探明部分地区蜂群大面积死亡原因提供佐证,也可为该药田间安全使用提供参考。【方法】用油漆笔标记刚出房的1日龄意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica工蜂,置于蜂群中8 d后取出,在室内恒温恒湿箱(30±1℃,相对湿度为40%±10%,黑暗)中笼养9 d(每盒50头),处理组自由采集含0.01 ng/μL吡虫啉的30%(w/v)糖水,对照组自由采集含0.01 ng/μL丙酮的30%(w/v)糖水。使用自制的蜜蜂气味学习设备,在3次配对的柠檬气味刺激和糖水刺激训练基础上,对18日龄蜜蜂进行气味联想性学习和记忆实验。【结果】处理组和对照组蜜蜂在为期9 d的饲喂过程中的死亡率无显著差异(P0.05)。在3次气味联想性学习实验中,与对照组相比,处理组蜜蜂在第2和第3次实验中学习能力显著降低(P0.01),而在第1次实验中无差异[喙伸反应率(PER)%=0];24 h后,处理组蜜蜂的喙伸反应率与对照组无显著差异(P0.05)。【结论】结果表明,0.01 ng/μL吡虫啉不会导致蜜蜂急性死亡;在此剂量吡虫啉作用下,蜜蜂的24 h长期记忆虽不受影响,但学习能力显著受到抑制,进而可能对蜜蜂的采集行为等产生不利影响。     

亚致死剂量吡虫啉胁迫对意大利蜜蜂内勤蜂与外勤蜂免疫解毒相关基因表达及免疫解毒酶系活力的影响

摘要: 【目的】吡虫啉(imidaclorprid)是广泛使用的新烟碱类杀虫剂之一。大量研究表明亚致死剂量吡虫啉影响意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica(简称“意蜂”)幼虫的发育和成年蜜蜂的采集、学习等行为。本实验旨在探究亚致死剂量吡虫啉对意大利蜜蜂内勤蜂(1日龄成年工蜂)与外勤蜂(21日龄成年工蜂)免疫解毒相关基因表达及免疫解毒酶系活力的影响,进而为蜜蜂健康的维护提供科学依据。【方法】测定饲喂含0.1 ng/μL吡虫啉的50%蔗糖溶液不同时间后意蜂成年工蜂的存活率;利用荧光定量PCR检测饲喂含0.1 ng/μL吡虫啉的50%蔗糖溶液6 d后其体内免疫基因多酚氧化酶基因(PPOA3, GenBank登录号： GB43738), Abaecin类抗菌肽基因(ABA, GenBank登录号： GB18323),葡萄糖脱氢酶基因(GLD, GenBank登录号： GB43007)和解毒基因细胞色素P450基因(CYP450 6a2, GenBank登录号： GB49876)的表达,并采用双抗体一步夹心法酶联免疫吸附试验测定其体内细胞色素P450酶(cytochrome P450, CYP450)含量和多酚氧化酶(polyphenol oxidase,PPO)活力。【结果】1日龄和21日龄意蜂成年工蜂连续饲喂6 d含0.1 ng/μL吡虫啉的50%蔗糖溶液后,其存活率与对照组(饲喂含0.1 ng/μL丙酮的50%蔗糖溶液)无显著差异;连续饲喂9 d含0.1 ng/μL吡虫啉的50%蔗糖溶液后,1日龄意蜂成年工蜂存活率与对照组无显著差异,而21日龄意蜂成年工蜂存活率与对照组有显著差异。1日龄意蜂成年工蜂自由取食含0.1 ng/μL吡虫啉的蔗糖溶液6 d后, PPOA3, CYP450 6a2, ABA和GLD表达水平,细胞色素P450含量以及多酚氧化酶活力与对照组相比均有显著下调趋势;而21日龄意蜂成年工蜂取食该药液6 d后,CYP450 6a2, ABA和GLD表达水平及多酚氧化酶活力与对照组相比均有显著下调趋势,PPOA3表达水平和细胞色素P450含量有显著上调趋势。【结论】亚致死剂量吡虫啉影响意大利蜜蜂内勤蜂与外勤蜂免疫解毒相关基因的表达及免疫解毒酶系活力;吡虫啉短期胁迫对意大利蜜蜂内勤蜂与外勤蜂的存活无显著影响,长期胁迫则会影响意大利蜜蜂内勤蜂与外勤蜂的存活。     

2,4-表油菜素内酯和赤霉素对微拟球藻产油率及脂肪酸组成的影响

分别研究了2,4-表油菜素内酯(EBR)、赤霉素(GA_3)对微拟球藻大洋种生长、产油率及脂肪酸组成的影响。结果表明,5、15 mg/L EBR能显著促进微拟球藻生长和提高其产油率,产油率较对照组分别增加了7.85%和13.97%,但对单位质量藻细胞总脂含量影响不大。50 mg/L EBR则显著抑制该藻生长。5、15和50 mg/L GA_3均显著促进微拟球藻生物量积累。50 mg/L GA_3处理组生物量最高(0.337 g/L),但总脂积累受到一定抑制。总体来看,15 mg/L GA_3对微拟球藻产油率提升效果最显著,达8.184 mg/(L·d)。添加EBR(5、15 mg/L)和GA_3(5、15、50 mg/L)浓度后,饱和及单不饱和脂肪酸(16∶0、16∶1、18∶1)占比下降,多不饱和脂肪酸(18∶2、20∶4和20∶5)占比显著提高。     

高效氯氟氰菊酯对西方蜜蜂生存能力及记忆相关特性的影响

【目的】本实验旨在明确3个低浓度高效氯氟氰菊酯对西方蜜蜂Apis mellifera生存能力与学习记忆的影响,为蜂群的健康养殖及深入研究蜜蜂发生蜂群崩溃失调病(colony collapse disorder,CCD)现象机理提供一定的理论参考。【方法】通过点滴法分别给刚羽化蜜蜂背部点滴不同剂量(1/2 LD_(50),1/4 LD_(50)和1/8 LD_(50))的高效氯氟氰菊酯(以点滴纯丙酮为溶剂对照),并进行笼养,记录各组蜜蜂每天死亡情况;药物处理后第7天,利用吻伸反应(proboscis extension response,PER)方法测定不同浓度高效氯氟氰菊酯对西方蜜蜂工蜂学习记忆能力的影响。将刚羽化的蜜蜂用不同剂量高效氯氟氰菊酯处理后放入原始蜂群,20 d后采集氯氟氰菊酯处理后的20日龄工蜂,对其定距离放飞归巢能力进行检测,采用实时定量PCR对记忆相关基因谷氨酸受体基因(GluRA)和N-甲基-D天冬氨酸受体基因(Nmdar1)的相对表达量进行检测。【结果】1/2 LD_(50)组工蜂的平均寿命显著低于1/4 LD_(50)组、1/8 LD_(50)组和对照组(P0.05),而后三者之间差异不显著(P0.05)。1/2LD_(50)组工蜂PER成功率也显著低于1/4 LD_(50)组、1/8 LD_(50)组和对照组(P0.05),后三者之间差异也不显著(P0.05)。1/8 LD_(50)组和对照组蜜蜂在1 000 m处的归巢率显著高于1/2 LD_(50)组和1/4LD_(50)组(P0.05),但1/2 LD_(50)组与1/4 LD_(50)组以及1/8 LD_(50)与对照组之间差异不显著(P0.05)。1/8 LD_(50)组和对照组工蜂的GluRA基因表达量显著高于1/2 LD_(50)组和1/4 LD_(50)组(P0.05),而且1/4 LD_(50)组工蜂的GluRA基因表达量也显著高于1/2 LD_(50)组(P0.05),但1/8 LD_(50)组与对照组工蜂的GluRA基因表达量差异不显著(P0.05);1/4 LD_(50)组、1/8 LD_(50)组和对照组工蜂的Nmdar1基因相对表达量均显著高于1/2 LD_(50)组(P0.05),但前三者之间差异不显著(P0.05)。【结论】高效氯氟氰菊酯对西方蜜蜂的生存能力和记忆行为特性具有一定的影响,这种农药的不合理使用可能影响着蜜蜂的健康养殖。     

氯化锂对意大利蜜蜂基于伸吻反应行为的影响

【目的】本研究旨在明确25mmol·L~(-1)氯化锂对蜜蜂蔗糖敏感性、学习和记忆行为的影响,为氯化锂作为杀螨剂应用于蜂业提供参考依据。【方法】利用50%(w/v)糖水溶液在巢门口引蜂,抓取采集糖水的蜜蜂视为采集蜂,随机分为6组对照和处理。鉴于蜜蜂对笼养环境的适应期,室内恒温恒湿箱【(30±1)℃,相对湿度为40%±10%,黑暗】中饲喂30%糖水笼养24 h(每盒50头)后,处理组和对照组分别自由采集含25 mmol·L~(-1)氯化锂的30%(w/v)糖水和30%(w/v)糖水24 h,6组中的3组用来测试对6种不同浓度糖水的敏感性(0.1%、0.3%、1%、3%、10%、30%),余下3组蜜蜂用来进行气味联想性学习实验;将收集的采集蜂不进行实验室笼养,随机分为对照和处理(35头/组),接受气味联想性学习训练,然后对蜜蜂个体饲喂10μL 30%(w/v)糖水和含25 mmol·L~(-1)氯化锂的30%(w/v)糖水,2 h后测试蜜蜂记忆。【结果】对照组和处理组在氯化锂处理24 h内死亡率无显著差异(P 0.05);糖水敏感性测试实验中,处理组对低浓度糖水(0.1%-3%)的喙伸反应率高于对照组(0.3%:P0.05;1%:P0.01;3%:P0.001),处理组的蔗糖响应分数(SRS)极显著高于对照组(P0.01);气味联想性学习实验中,两组的喙伸反应率随训练次数的增加而呈上升趋势,虽然在第二次学习中,对照组的喙伸反应率显著性高于处理组(P0.05),但两组的学习能力随训练次数增加差异减小,最终趋于一致;2 h记忆行为实验中,处理组的喙伸反应率显著高于对照组(P0.05)。【结论】结果表明,25 mmol·L~(-1)氯化锂对蜜蜂无急性致死作用;蜜蜂接触此剂量氯化锂24 h后,蜜蜂对低浓度糖水的敏感性增强,蜜蜂最终学习行为不受影响,但蜜蜂的2 h短期记忆受到积极影响,进而可能利于提高蜜蜂采集行为。     

尖吻蝮蛇小分子多肽对人神经胶质瘤细胞系U251的凋亡及bcl-2/bax基因表达和氧化应激的影响

目的:探讨尖吻蝮蛇小分子多肽对人神经胶质瘤细胞系U251的增殖抑制作用及其机制。方法:MTT法检测2.5、5.0和10.0mg/L尖吻蝮蛇小分子多肽对人神经胶质瘤细胞系U251的增殖抑制作用;RT-PCR法检测尖吻蝮蛇小分子多肽对人神经胶质瘤细胞bcl-2和bax基因表达的影响;分光光度法检测胶质瘤细胞中丙二醛(MDA)的含量和超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)的活性。结果:2.5、5.0和10.0 mg/L尖吻蝮蛇小分子多肽对人神经胶质瘤细胞生长抑制率(49.77%、67.65%和76.42%)高于对照组(P<0.001)。当小分子多肽的剂量增加时,bcl-2 mRNA的表达呈逐渐下降趋势,而bax mRNA的表达则呈逐渐升高趋势,bcl-2/bax亦逐渐减小。2.5、5.0和10.0 mg/L组MDA含量高于对照组(P<0.01),且SOD活性低于对照组(P<0.01);5.0和10.0 mg/L组MDA含量高于2.5mg/L组和对照组(P<0.001),10.0 mg/L组SOD活性低于2.5mg/L组和对照组(P<0.001);10.0 mg/L组SOD活性低于5.0、2.5mg/L组和对照组(P<0.01)。结论:尖吻蝮蛇小分子多肽通过氧化应激使bcl-2/bax mRNA表达降低可能是抑制人神经胶质瘤细胞系U251增殖的重要原因之一。     

微塑料对大型溞的急性毒性研究

为了解微塑料对淡水生态环境的影响, 选择了大型溞作为受试生物, 研究了聚氯乙烯(PVC)对其产生的急性毒性效应与恢复试验。研究设置了7个 PVC浓度梯度, 范围是0—400 mg/L, 等比系数为2, 对其进行急性毒性处理, 测定96h LC₅₀, 并对大型溞心率变化和抗氧化指标进行测定。同时, 对其进行清水21d恢复实验。96h LC₅₀为130.132 mg/L, 95%置信区间为82.864—234.989 mg/L。处理组与对照组相比, 高浓度组心率具有显著性差异(P<0.05), 低浓度组无显著性差异(P>0.05); 高浓度组摄食率具有极显著差异(P<0.01), 低浓度组无显著性差异(P>0.05); 高浓度组SOD、GSH值具有显著性差异(P<0.05), 低浓度组并不显著(P>0.05)。处理组与对照组相比, 处理组的生育力明显提高, 首次产幼时间提前, 但后代体长变短, 出现畸形个体; 处理组的后代死亡数高于对照组, 母溞体长缩短, 但并不显著。结果表明, PVC的暴露对大型溞具有一定的毒性效应, 短期暴露会对其后续生长和繁殖产生不利影响。     

邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯对鲤非特异性免疫的影响及遗传毒性

以水和吐温-80为对照,用5、20、80、160 mg/L的邻苯二甲酸二乙基己酯（DEHP）对鲤染毒20d,研究了DEHP对鲤非特异性免疫功能的影响及遗传毒性。结果表明: 吐温-80组与水对照组相比除红细胞总核异常率显著升高外,所测定的各项指标差异均不显著。80、160 mg/L组白细胞吞噬活力、吞噬指数,血清抗菌活力,溶菌酶活性均显著低于水对照组和吐温-80组（P0.05或P0.01）,且20 mg/L组白细胞吞噬活力、吞噬指数显著低于水对照组。与吐温-80组相比,160 mg/L组血清C3含量显著降低,5、20、80 mg/L组C3含量,5、20、80、160 mg/L组C4含量则无显著性差异。20、80、160 mg/L组C3含量,160 mg/L组C4含量显著低于水对照组（P0.05或P0.01）。160 mg/L组红细胞微核率显著高于吐温-80组,80、160 mg/L组红细胞微核率显著高于水对照组。在DEHP实验浓度范围内,红细胞核异常率、总核异常率,肝细胞DPC系数均显著高于水对照组和吐温-80组。一定浓度的DEHP对鲤具有免疫毒性和遗传毒性。       

亚致死剂量杀虫剂对意蜂工蜂嗅觉敏感性的影响

喙伸反应(PER)试验适用于评价杀虫剂对蜜蜂行为的影响。本实验利用喙伸反应研究了亚致死剂量(LD50/100～LD50/10)溴氰菊酯和吡虫啉对意蜂Apis mellifera ligustica L.工蜂嗅觉敏感性的影响。结果发现,经口饲喂溴氰菊酯5ng和10ng后,工蜂对0.1%的蔗糖溶液的敏感性显著下降(P<0.05),水应激指数降低,但对0.3%,1%,3%,10%和30%的蔗糖溶液的敏感性没有显著变化;而经口饲喂吡虫啉0.3ng和0.6ng后,工蜂对上述各浓度蔗糖溶液的敏感性变化不明显,但其水应激指数升高。     

吡虫啉胁迫对意大利蜜蜂哺育蜂免疫解毒相关基因表达及酶活力的影响

蜜蜂作为世界上最重要的授粉性昆虫,在采集过程中易接触到杀虫剂,前人研究表明新烟碱类杀虫剂吡虫啉（imidaclorprid）影响意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica（简称“意蜂”）的存活和舞蹈、采集等行为。本研究旨在探究亚致死剂量吡虫啉胁迫对意大利蜜蜂哺育蜂（8日龄成年工蜂）免疫解毒相关基因表达、免疫解毒酶系活力及存活率的影响。结果显示哺育蜂连续取食3 d和9 d含0.1 ng/μL吡虫啉的蔗糖液后,其存活率与对照组（饲喂含等量丙酮的蔗糖溶液）无显著差异;连续饲喂11 d含0.1 ng/μL吡虫啉的50%蔗糖溶液后,其存活率与对照组有显著差异。荧光定量PCR检测及双抗体一步夹心法酶联免疫吸附试验结果显示哺育蜂取食吡虫啉3 d后,蜜蜂体内免疫基因多酚氧化酶基因（PPOA3,GB43738）,Abaecin类抗菌肽基因（ABA,GB18323）,葡萄糖脱氢酶基因（GLD, GB43007）和解毒基因细胞色素P450基因（CYP450 6a2,GB49876）,细胞色素B561基因（CYB561 2-like,GB40148）,葡萄糖醛酸转移酶（UDP-glucuronosyltransferase,GB52179）的表达及蜂体内体内细胞色素P450酶（cytochrome P450,CYP450）含量均有上调趋势,超氧化物岐化酶（superoxide dismutase,SOD）和过氧化氢酶（catalase,CAT）均有显著下调趋势;哺育蜂取食吡虫啉9 d后,PPOA3,ABA,GLD,CYP450 6a2,CYB561 2-like,UDP-glucuronosyltransferase的表达及蜂体内体内细胞色素P450酶含量均有下调趋势,多酚氧化酶（polyphenol oxidase,PPO）,超氧化物歧化酶和过氧化氢酶酶活力均有显著下调趋势。本研究在分子水平上提供了亚致死剂量吡虫啉是通过扰乱蜜蜂正常的免疫系统进而影响蜜蜂行为的证据,以期为维护蜜蜂健康提供一定的理论依据。     

百草枯对蜜蜂寿命及抗氧化酶基因表达影响

本研究用200、400和600 mg/L的百草枯饲喂刚出房的意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica Spinola工蜂,检测其对工蜂寿命及抗氧化酶基因Sod 1和Sod 2表达的影响,并以饲喂蔗糖作为对照组.结果表明:随着百草枯浓度的增加,工蜂的寿命极显著下降(P＜0.01);抗氧化酶基因Sod 1的相对表达量,随着百草枯浓度的增加而增加,其中对照组Sod 1基因的相对表达量显著低于各百草枯处理组(P ＜0.05);Sod 2基因的相对表达量,随着百草枯浓度的增加,先增加后减少,其中600 mg/L百草枯处理组Sod 2基因的相对表达量显著低于对照组和低剂量百草枯处理组(P＜0.05).     

Effect of royal jelly on longevity and memory-related traits of Apis mellifera workers

Royal jelly (RJ) is a key factor for honey bee caste determination. The queen bee is fed with RJ by worker bees throughout her life, while the worker bees eat bee bread themselves. This study was designed to explore the effect of nutrient-rich RJ on longevity and learning and memory abilities of workers of the western honey bee Apis mellifera. The newly emerged worker bees were randomly divided into three groups and were fed 50% sucrose solution containing 0%, 10%, and 20% RJ. We found that worker bees fed with 10% and 20% RJ showed significantly improved longevity and higher proboscis extension response success rate compared to bees fed with 50% sucrose containing 0% RJ. Additionally, bees fed with 20% RJ showed significantly higher level of expression of memory related genes (GluRA and Nmdar1) compared to the control group. Furthermore, expression of the Nmdar1 gene of worker bees fed with 10% RJ was also significantly higher than in the control group. These results indicate that RJ has potential effects on the longevity and learning and memory abilities of A. mellifera.     

RNAi沉默王浆主蛋白1(Mrjp1)基因对意大利蜜蜂工蜂学习和记忆的影响

【目的】前期研究发现经吡虫啉处理的意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica(简称“意蜂”)工蜂学习能力下降,转录组学分析表明王浆主蛋白1(major royal jelly protein 1, MRJP1)基因在吡虫啉处理的蜜蜂脑中显著下调,MRJP1可能参与调控蜜蜂学习能力。本研究旨在采用RNA干扰(RNAinference, RNAi)技术将Mrjp1特异性沉默,验证MRJP1在意蜂工蜂嗅觉学习中的关键作用。【方法】通过克隆技术获得Mrjp1基因cDNA 序列,经测序验证后,设计引物,合成用于RNAi干扰Mrjp1基因表达的dsRNA。注射dsMrjp1的意蜂工蜂作为处理组(dsMrjp1注射组),注射dsEGFP的意蜂工蜂作为对照组(dsEGFP注射组),随后通过伸吻反应(proboscis extension response, PER)实验比较两组的嗅觉学习与记忆能力差异。最后采用实时荧光定量PCR(quantitative real-time PCR, qRT-PCR)检测注射dsMrjp1后意大利蜜蜂工蜂脑中Mrjp1的相对表达量。【结果】dsMrjp1注射组与dsEGFP注射组意蜂工蜂学习能力差异显著,dsMrjp1注射组意蜂工蜂的学习能力显著降低。学习后2 h,两组意蜂工蜂的记忆力无显著差异。qRT-PCR结果显示Mrjp1的表达水平在dsMrjp1注射组意蜂工蜂脑中显著低于dsEGFP注射组,表明学习能力降低的处理组意蜂脑内对应的Mrjp1表达水平也降低。【结论】通过RNAi抑制意蜂工蜂Mrjp1基因的表达后,其嗅觉学习能力受到显著性抑制,但记忆力未受到显著影响,提示Mrjp1可能是调控意蜂学习的重要基因之一。本研究结果有助于后续进一步研究蜜蜂嗅觉学习相关的分子机制。     

Field and semifield evaluation of impacts of transgenic canola pollen on survival and development of worker honey bees

A 2-yr field trial (2001 and 2002) and 1-yr semifield trial (2002) were conducted to evaluate the effect of transgenic herbicide (glyphosate) -tolerant canola Brassica napus L. pollen on larval and adult honey bee, Apis mellifera L., workers. In the field trial, colonies of honey bees were moved to transgenic or nontransgenic canola fields (each at least 40 hectares) during bloom and then sampled for larval survival and adult recovery, pupal weight, and hemolymph protein concentrations. No differences in larval survival, adult recovery, and pupal weight were detected between colonies placed in nontransgenic canola fields and those in transgenic canola fields. Colonies placed in the transgenic canola fields in the 2002 field experiment showed significantly higher hemolymph protein in newly emerged bees compared with those placed in nontransgenic canola field; however, this difference was not detected in the 2001 field experiment. In the semifield trial, bee larvae were artificially fed with bee-collected transgenic and nontransgenic canola pollen and returned to their original colonies. Larval survival, pupal survival, pupal weight, and hemolymph protein concentration of newly emerged adults were measured. There were no significant differences in any of the parameters measured between larvae that were fed transgenic canola pollen and those fed nontransgenic corn pollen. Results from this study suggest that transgenic canola pollen does not have adverse effects on honey bee development and that the use of transgenic canola dose not pose any threat to honey bees.     

The flight physiology of reproductives of Africanized, European, and hybrid honeybees (Apis mellifera)

Neotropical African honeybees (Apis mellifera scutellata), in the process of spreading throughout tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, hybridize with and mostly replace European honeybees (primarily Apis mellifera mellifera and Apis mellifera ligustica). To help understand this process, we studied the effect of lineage (African, European, or hybrid) on the flight physiology of honeybee reproductives. Flight metabolic rates were higher in queens and drones of African lineage than in European or hybrid bees, as has been previously found for foraging workers. These differences were associated with higher thorax/body mass ratios and higher thorax-specific metabolic rates in African lineage bees. Queens were reared in common colonies, so these metabolic and morphological differences are likely to be genetic in origin. African drones had higher wing beat frequencies and thorax temperatures than European or hybrid bees. Hybrids were intermediate for many parameters, but hybrid queen mass-specific flight metabolic rates were low relative to Africans and were nonlinearly affected by the proportion of African lineage, consistent with some negative heterosis for this trait.     

噻虫胺及其混配制剂对意大利蜜蜂和玉米螟赤眼蜂的急性毒性

【目的】明确新烟碱类杀虫剂噻虫胺及其2种混剂对意大利蜜蜂 Apis mellifera ligustica 和玉米螟赤眼蜂 Trichogramma ostriniae 的毒性。【方法】采用摄入法、接触法和药膜法分别测定3种制剂对意大利蜜蜂成年工蜂和玉米螟赤眼蜂成蜂的急性毒性。【结果】急性毒性测定结果表明,30%噻虫胺悬浮剂、30%吡蚜酮·噻虫胺悬浮剂和20%醚菊酯·噻虫胺悬浮剂对意大利蜜蜂成年工蜂的急性摄入毒性均为剧毒,LC₅₀ 值(48 h)分别为0.0200（0.0143~0.0272）, 0.084（0.0658~0.1157）和0.1594（0.1200~0.2056） mg a.i./L;3种制剂对意大利蜜蜂成年工蜂急性接触毒性均为高毒,LD₅₀ 值(48 h)分别为0.0155（0.0114~0.0197）, 0.0426（0.0335~0.0539）和0.1122（0.0796~0.1385）μg a.i./蜂。药膜法测定3种制剂对玉米螟赤眼蜂成蜂的LD₅₀ 值(24 h)分别为0.0232（0.0180~0.0295）, 0.1050（0.0940~0.1170）和0.0059（0.0054~0.0065） mg a.i./L;安全性评价结果表明,3种制剂对玉米螟赤眼蜂成蜂均存在极高风险性,安全系数分别为5.95×10^-4, 2.69×10^-3和9.50×10^-5。【结论】噻虫胺及其混剂对意大利蜜蜂和玉米螟赤眼蜂均存在较高的毒性风险,在害虫综合治理中应谨慎使用。     

Honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) pollination of rabbiteye blueberry Vaccinium ashei var. 'Climax' is pollinator density-dependent

In a 2-yr field study, mature orchard plants of rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei Reade variety 'Climax'), plus potted pollenizers ('Premier') were caged with varying densities of honey bees (0, 400, 800, 1,600, 3,200, 6,400, or 12,800 bees plus open plot) during the bloom interval. The rate of legitimate flower visits tended to increase as bee density increased within a range of 400-6,400 bees; there were more legitimate visits in cages with 6,400 bees than in those with < or = 1,600 bees. Similarly, within a range of 400-6,400 bees there was a trend for a corresponding increase in fruit-set with means ranging from 25.0 to 79%. Fruit-set was higher in cages with 6,400 or 3,200 bees than in those with < or = 800 bees. Regression analyses showed that fruit-set increased linearly with the rate of legitimate bee visits. Mean weight of berries was unaffected by bee density but varied significantly between years. Within a range of 0-3,200 bees/cage the average seeds per berry tended to increase with increasing bee density; there were more seeds in open plots than in cages with 12,800 honey bees or < or = 1,600 bees. Sucrose content ranged from 12.1 to 16.7% and fruits tended to have more sugar in cages with lower bee densities. Speed of ripening tended to be higher in cages with higher bee densities. Earlier work has shown that the effectiveness of Apis mellifera L. as a pollinator of rabbiteye blueberry is variety-dependent. Our data indicate that the effectiveness of A. mellifera is also bee density-dependent.     

Experimental infection of red dwarf honeybee,Apis florea,with Nosema ceranae

This research is the first record of the infection of Apis florea by Nosema ceranae, a newly identified pathogen of honeybee in Thailand which was initially isolated from A. florea workers. Each Nosema free-bee was fed 2 μl of 50% (w/v) sucrose solution containing 0, 10,000 20,000 or 40,000 Nosema spores/bee. The survival rates of treated bees were significantly lower compared to control bees. Infectivity was not statistically different among the three spore concentrations, whereas no infection was found in control bees. Protein content of control bee hypopharyngeal glands 14 days post inoculation (p.i) was significantly higher (21.47 ± 0.17 mg/bee) compared to all treatments. The infection ratio of bees treated with 40,000 spores/bee increased with time after inoculation. These results suggest that N. ceranae has a significant negative effect on honeybee hypopharyngeal gland protein production and contributes to their shortened life span.     

Open-air-nesting honey bees Apis dorsata and Apis laboriosa differ from the cavity-nesting Apis mellifera and Apis cerana in brood hygiene behaviour

The cavity-nesting Apis mellifera and Apis cerana bees detect, uncap, and remove diseased brood. The hygiene behaviour of open-air-nesting bees Apis dorsata and Apis laboriosa was investigated in India and Nepal. Sealed A. dorsata pupae were pin-killed or deep-frozen. The workers removed 73 or 37% of damaged pin-killed pupae depending on the diameter of the pins, and only 7% of the frozen undamaged pupae. Migrating A. dorsata and A. laboriosa left unopened the sealed brood in deserted combs. Thus, A. dorsata and A. laboriosa do not open undamaged cells with dead brood. This behaviour is a more efficient mechanism in preventing the spread of diseases and parasitic mites than uncapping and removing dead pupae by A. mellifera and A. cerana. It may be beneficial for migrating A. dorsata and A. laboriosa to temporarily disuse part of the comb cells in exchange for arresting the mites there and thus reducing the increase of their population.