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Microplastic Occurrence in Foragers of Two Neotropical Bee Species (Apidae: Meliponini) from the Eastern Amazon
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Scientists found tiny plastic bits (microplastics) stuck to and inside stingless bees in both city and rural areas of the Amazon rainforest, one of the most remote, biodiverse places on Earth. This shows that plastic pollution has spread even into pristine natural areas, likely carried through the air, and since these bees pollinate many wild and food plants, it raises concerns about microplastics working their way through ecosystems and potentially into the food we eat.
Abstract Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous anthropogenic pollutants that originate from diverse sources and pose a significant threat to both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Bees are considered active bio-samplers of air quality due to the accumulation of MPs on their bodies. In addition, the ingestion of MPs alters body mass, locomotion, and hemocyte counts without impairing survival. Native bees hold ecological and economic relevance by providing critical ecosystem services through the pollination of numerous wild and cultivated plant species. However, microplastic contamination in these bees remains poorly investigated. Here, we assessed the presence of microplastics in foragers from two Amazonian stingless bee species, comparing MPs abundance in rural and urban environments, and internally and externally worker bodies. We also characterized the morphology, color, and polymer type of MPs carried by foragers in both environments. Our results revealed the presence of MPs in Melipona flavolineata and Scaptotrigona aff. postica in both urban and rural environments, with higher incidence of MPs adhered to the external body surface. We found a predominance of fibers in blue, black, and red across both species and environment, and a lower abundance of blue fragments restricted to urban environment. Chemical analyses indicated a predominance of polyester (PL) spectra, followed by polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Our findings suggest the role of native stingless bees as biological indicators of environmental pollution by microplastics in the Amazon region. Beyond their value as bioindicators, these results raise conservation concerns, as the Amazon represents one of the largest remaining expanses of natural forest and harbors extraordinary native bees diversity and endemism. The potential transport of MPs into these natural areas poses risks to biodiversity, underscoring the need to integrate pollution monitoring into conservation strategies.
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Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in stingless bee products, including honey, pollen, and propolis, collected from six sites in the Meratus Geopark, South Kalimantan, Indonesia. The study found microplastics present across all bee product types, with varying morphology and distribution, indicating that even natural products from remote areas are not free from microplastic contamination.
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This review examines the environmental pathogens and contaminants—including microplastics, pesticides, and parasites—that threaten stingless bee health in the Neotropics. The authors find that stingless bees are understudied compared to honeybees despite their critical ecological and economic role, and that microplastic exposure represents an emerging threat not yet well characterized.
Characterization of Microplastics in Bees and Their Products in Urban and Rural Areas of the Sabana De Bogotá, Colombia
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Researchers characterized microplastics in honey bees and their products (honey, wax, propolis) from both urban and rural areas of the Sabana de Bogota, Colombia. Microplastics were found across all matrices and bee types, with urban bees showing higher contamination levels, raising concerns about both pollinator health and honey safety.
Detection of microplastics in honey of stingless bee (Heterotrigona itama) and honey bee (Apis mellifera) from Malaysia
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Researchers analyzed honey from stingless bees and European honeybees farmed in Malaysia and found microplastics in samples from both species. Microplastic types and concentrations differed between the two bee species, likely reflecting differences in foraging range and habitat, and confirming that bee honey can serve as a matrix for monitoring environmental microplastic contamination.
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Scientists found that tiny plastic bits on pollen can mess with how baby bees grow, but surprisingly, low doses caused more harm than high doses in some cases, which is unusual and not fully understood yet. This matters because bees pollinate much of our food supply, so if microplastic pollution (which is now everywhere in air, soil, and water) is quietly harming bee populations, it could eventually affect the fruits, vegetables, and crops we depend on.
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