Semi-quantitative analysis of morphological changes in bee tissues: A toxicological approach

Area of Science:

• * Entomology
• * Toxicology
• * Apiculture Science

Background:

• * Bees encounter sublethal insecticide doses during foraging.
• * Insecticides can induce morphological damage in vital bee organs like the midgut, Malpighian tubules, and mushroom body.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To develop a standardized scoring system for evaluating insecticide-induced morphological alterations in bees.
• * To assess the severity and reversibility of organ damage caused by sublethal insecticide exposure.

Main Methods:

• * Establishment of a grading system (1-3) based on lesion severity and reversibility.
• * Assignation of frequency values (0-6) to quantify the occurrence of alterations.
• * Microscopic examination of bee organs (midgut, Malpighian tubules, mushroom body) for morphological changes.

Main Results:

• * Grade 1: Minimal, reversible lesions (e.g., increased secretion, cell elimination).
• * Grade 2: Moderate, reversible injuries (e.g., brush border changes, cell swelling).
• * Grade 3: Severe, irreversible damage (e.g., loss of regenerative cells, cell-cell contact loss).
• * Frequency values indicate the prevalence of specific alterations.

Conclusions:

• * Insecticide exposure leads to morphological damage in bees.
• * The developed scoring system quantifies damage severity and reversibility.
• * Such damage can impact overall bee colony health and survival.