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Preparation of Virus-Enriched Inoculum for Oral Infection of Honey Bees Apis mellifera
Published on: August 26, 2020
Microplastic Polystyrene Ingestion Promotes the Susceptibility of Honeybee to Viral Infection
Yanchun Deng1,2,3, Xuejian Jiang4, Hongxia Zhao5
1Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, People's Republic of China.
Abstract:
Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging threat to ecological conservation and biodiversity; however, little is known of the types and possible impacts of MPs in pollinators. To examine whether MPs were present in honeybees, we analyzed the honeybee samples collected in fields from six provinces in China. Four types MPs were identified in honeybee including polystyrene (PS) by Raman spectroscopic analysis, and these plastic polymers were detected in 66.7% bee samples. Then, we assessed the physical and biological impacts of PS of three sizes (0.5, 5, and 50 μm) on bees for 21 days. Next, we measured how the presence of PS affected the Israeli acute paralysis virus proliferation, a small RNA virus associated with bee colony decline. Experimental evidence showed that a large mass of PS was ingested and accumulated within the midgut and enhanced the susceptibility of bees to viral infection. Not only histological analysis showed that PS, especially 0.5 μm PS, damaged the midgut tissue and was subsequently transferred to the hemolymph, trachea, and Malpighian tubules, but also qPCR and transcriptomic results indicated that genes correlated with membrane lipid metabolism, immune response, detoxification, and the respiratory system were significantly regulated after PS ingestion. Our results highlight neglected MP contamination to the bees, a pollination ecosystem stressed by the anthropogenic pollution, and have implications for human health via ingestion of bee products.
Insights
Microplastics (MPs) contaminate honeybees, with polystyrene found in 66.7% of samples. Ingested MPs damage bee tissues, increase viral susceptibility, and alter gene expression, posing risks to pollinators and potentially human health.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Ecotoxicology
- Pollinator Health
Background:
- Microplastics (MPs) pose a growing threat to biodiversity.
- Understanding MP presence and impact in pollinators like honeybees is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify MP types in Chinese honeybees.
- To assess the physical and biological impacts of polystyrene (PS) MPs on honeybees.
- To investigate the effect of PS MPs on Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV) proliferation.
Main Methods:
- Raman spectroscopy for MP identification in honeybee samples from six Chinese provinces.
- Experimental exposure of bees to three sizes of PS MPs (0.5, 5, 50 μm) for 21 days.
- Histological analysis, qPCR, and transcriptomics to evaluate MP effects on bee physiology and viral load.
Main Results:
- Polystyrene MPs were detected in 66.7% of analyzed honeybee samples.
- Ingested PS MPs accumulated in the midgut, causing tissue damage and transfer to hemolymph and organs.
- PS MP exposure enhanced honeybee susceptibility to IAPV and significantly regulated genes involved in immunity, metabolism, and detoxification.
Conclusions:
- Honeybees are exposed to and affected by microplastic contamination, particularly polystyrene.
- MP ingestion disrupts bee physiology, compromises immune function, and increases viral vulnerability.
- This study highlights the ecological risks of MPs to pollinators and potential implications for human health through contaminated bee products.
