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Cholinergic pesticides cause mushroom body neuronal inactivation in honeybees

Author

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  • Mary J. Palmer

    (Medical Research Institute, Ninewells Medical School, University of Dundee)

  • Christopher Moffat

    (Medical Research Institute, Ninewells Medical School, University of Dundee)

  • Nastja Saranzewa

    (Medical Research Institute, Ninewells Medical School, University of Dundee)

  • Jenni Harvey

    (Medical Research Institute, Ninewells Medical School, University of Dundee)

  • Geraldine A. Wright

    (Centre for Behaviour and Evolution, Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University)

  • Christopher N. Connolly

    (Medical Research Institute, Ninewells Medical School, University of Dundee)

Abstract

Pesticides that target cholinergic neurotransmission are highly effective, but their use has been implicated in insect pollinator population decline. Honeybees are exposed to two widely used classes of cholinergic pesticide: neonicotinoids (nicotinic receptor agonists) and organophosphate miticides (acetylcholinesterase inhibitors). Although sublethal levels of neonicotinoids are known to disrupt honeybee learning and behaviour, the neurophysiological basis of these effects has not been shown. Here, using recordings from mushroom body Kenyon cells in acutely isolated honeybee brain, we show that the neonicotinoids imidacloprid and clothianidin, and the organophosphate miticide coumaphos oxon, cause a depolarization-block of neuronal firing and inhibit nicotinic responses. These effects are observed at concentrations that are encountered by foraging honeybees and within the hive, and are additive with combined application. Our findings demonstrate a neuronal mechanism that may account for the cognitive impairments caused by neonicotinoids, and predict that exposure to multiple pesticides that target cholinergic signalling will cause enhanced toxicity to pollinators.

Suggested Citation

  • Mary J. Palmer & Christopher Moffat & Nastja Saranzewa & Jenni Harvey & Geraldine A. Wright & Christopher N. Connolly, 2013. "Cholinergic pesticides cause mushroom body neuronal inactivation in honeybees," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 1-8, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:4:y:2013:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms2648
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms2648
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    Cited by:

    1. Heong, K.L. & Tan, K.H. & Garcia, C.P.F. & Liu, Z. & Lu, Z., 2013. "Research Methods in Toxicology and Insecticide Resistance Monitoring of Rice Planthoppers," IRRI Books, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), number 164475.
    2. Paul Oldham & Stephen Hall & Oscar Forero, 2013. "Biological Diversity in the Patent System," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(11), pages 1-16, November.
    3. Sarah C Wood & Ivanna V Kozii & Roman V Koziy & Tasha Epp & Elemir Simko, 2018. "Comparative chronic toxicity of three neonicotinoids on New Zealand packaged honey bees," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(1), pages 1-19, January.

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