A Compound Fungicide Impairs Cognitive Performance in Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)
Xufeng Zhang, Qian Cao, Qihang Sun, Yuting Tian, Yinyin Du, Yuan Guo

TL;DR
A fungicide called Chunmanchun® harms honey bees' ability to sense sugar and remember, which could affect pollination and agriculture.
Contribution
This study reveals the sublethal cognitive effects of Chunmanchun® on honey bees, emphasizing risks to pollinators and agricultural systems.
Findings
Exposure to Chunmanchun® reduced honey bees' sensitivity to sugar solutions.
Bees exposed to the fungicide showed impaired memory retention in olfactory tasks.
Memory deficits were most severe at higher concentrations of the fungicide.
Abstract
This study highlights the concerning impact of the compound fungicide Chunmanchun® on honey bees, which are crucial for pollination in agriculture. The research aimed to assess how different concentrations of this fungicide affect the bees’ sensitivity to sugar and their learning and memory abilities. The results indicated that exposure to Chunmanchun® significantly lowered the bees’ responses to sugar solutions and impaired their ability to learn and memory. Specifically, bees exposed to sublethal and semi-lethal doses of the fungicide struggled with memory tasks hours after exposure. These findings underscore the risks that such agricultural chemicals pose to pollinator health, which is vital for crop productivity. Protecting bees from the harmful effects of fungicides not only supports their health but also ensures the sustainability of agricultural systems and food production. This…
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Taxonomy
TopicsInsect and Pesticide Research · Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior · Insect Pest Control Strategies
