First application of an Integrated Biological Response index to assess the ecotoxicological status of honeybees from rural and urban areas

• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14037-8
• Publication Date: 2021-04-23T08:11:28Z
• Authors: Ilaria Caliani; Tommaso Campani; Barbara Conti; Francesca Cosci; Stefano Bedini; Antonella D’Agostino; Laura Giovanetti; Agata Di Noi; Silvia Casini
• Keywords: Environmental toxicology

Understanding the effects of environmental contaminants on honeybees is essential to minimize their impacts these important pollinating insects. The aim this study was assess ecotoxicological status in environments undergoing different anthropic pressure: a wood (reference site), an orchard, agricultural area, and urban site, using multi-biomarker approach. To synthetically represent honeybees, responses single biomarkers were integrated by Integrated Biological Response (IBRv2) index. Overall, strongest alteration (IBRv2 = 7.52) detected bees from orchard due metabolic genotoxicity indicating presence pesticides, metals, lipophilic compounds. Honeybees cultivated area 7.18) revealed especially neurotoxicity, metabolic, probably related fungicides. Finally, 6.60), biomarker results (GST, lysozyme, hemocytes) indicated immunosuppression compounds metals environment.