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POSTER PRESENTATION / POSTER SUNUM

Molecular Mechanisms of Pesticide Sensitivity in Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.)

Eneshan SARIKAYA Nafiye KOÇ İNAK
1,*
2

1 Graduate School of Health Science, Ankara University, Ankara, TÜRKIYE
2 Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, TÜRKIYE

*Correspound Author: ehsarikaya@ankara.edu.tr

Beekeeping holds significant economic and ecological importance both globally and in
Türkiye. In addition to producing high-value products such as honey, pollen, propolis,
beeswax, and royal jelly, bees contribute to increased seed and fruit yields by facilitating
plant pollination. Owing to its rich flora and the high genetic diversity of its bee fauna, Türkiye
ranks among the leading countries in apiculture. While foraging for nectar, pollen, water, and
propolis essential for colony survival, honey bees are exposed to both natural and synthetic
toxins in the environment. Although natural toxins are generally tolerated, synthetic
pesticides can exert severe adverse effects on bees. In particular, the direct application of
chemicals within hives for the control of Varroa destructor results in unavoidable exposure
for honey bees. This constant exposure has driven the evolution of advanced detoxification
mechanisms, enabling bees to transform these compounds into less toxic forms and
eliminate them from their bodies, thereby ensuring survival. Insects exhibit insecticide
tolerance through four primary mechanisms: detoxification enzymes, target-site mutations,
cuticular barriers, and microbiome-mediated effects. Metabolic detoxification represents a
defense strategy relying on enzymatic systems that neutralize pesticides and environmental
toxins and facilitate their excretion. Main enzyme groups involved in this process include
cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, glutathione S-transferases, and esterases. Target-site
mutations, on the other hand, reduce toxicity by preventing the binding of toxic compounds
to their respective receptors. The cuticle serves as a barrier that limits insecticide
penetration, while the microbiota has also been reported to possess the capacity to detoxify
such compounds. This presentation will provide a detailed examination of the molecular
mechanisms underlying insecticide tolerance in honey bees. Understanding the causes of
this selective effect may contribute to the development of host-specific control strategies
with minimal adverse impacts on bees.

Keywords: Honey bee, Toxicology, Pesticide, Detoxification.

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