Variation in Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) gene expression by exposure to a sublethal dose of Flupyradifurone

The insecticide industry has developed more bee-safe active ingredients such as flupyradifurone. However, recent research provides evidence of the negative effects of this and its possible influence on the deterioration of the health of pollinators. During the experiment, mixed-age worker bees of A. mellifera were exposed to a single, sublethal oral dose of flupyradifurone (645 ng/ bee) and were assessed only for the first day after exposure to 0.5, 1, 3, 6, and 24 hours. Using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), the alteration in gene expression caused by exposure to this insecticide was quantified. A total of five genes were quantified: three primary antioxidant genes (Catalase (CAT), Superoxide dismutase (SOD1) and Thioredoxin dismutase (Trxr1), one detoxification gene (Cytochrome P450 9Q3 (CYP9Q3)) and one gene with neuronal activity (Acetylcholinesterase, AChE1). The endogenous ribosomal protein S18 (RPS18) gene allowed the estimation of relative gene expression as the response to insecticide exposure. The AChE1 gene was overexpressed up to six hours after exposure; the remaining CYP9Q3, CAT, SOD1, and Trxr1 genes presented a similar behavior. At a sublethal dose and at short time intervals, flupyradifurone causes alteration in the relative expression of five genes in individual honeybees after oral exposure, which could cause a long-term adverse effect on hive health.