Toxicidade do hidroxymetilfurfural e thiametoxam para Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758 (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Abstract

The present work aimed at evaluating the toxicity of the hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and thiamethoxam, as well as the interaction between the compounds for Apis mellifera. The biotrials were performed in randomized design, with each treatment comprised of five replicates, each with 20 bees. The treatments were formed from sub-lethal concentrations, equivalent to 1/10 and 1/100 of Loael (Low observable effect level) of the HMF and thiamethoxam, which were provided in a chronic and acute manner in the food. For the control treatment, we provided only the solution of sucrose + H2O (1:1), exempt of any product. The bees were obtained in the apiary of UFLA’s Entomology Department, anesthetized with CO2for two minutes for the assembly of the experiments, maintained in climatic chamber at 28±2oC, RH of 60±10% and 24 hour scotophase. We observed that, independent of the concentration, HMF and thiamethoxam were toxic to the bees, with a more pronounced effect when these compounds were provided in association. We also observed that, in function of the diet used, there was variation in the survival of A. mellifera adults. A larger survival rate was verified when the bees were fed with sucrose, followed by artisanal invert sugar and commercial invert sugar (Gludex®) with averages of 228 hours, 216 hours and 207 hours, respectively.