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Co-exposure to polystyrene microplastics and glyphosate induces gut microbiota dysbiosis and cognitive impairment in honeybees
AI summary
Researchers found that combined exposure of honeybees to polystyrene microplastics and the herbicide glyphosate significantly increased mortality, damaged the midgut, disrupted gut microbiota, and impaired cognitive behavior—effects more severe than either pollutant alone—suggesting the gut-brain axis plays a key role in pollinator vulnerability to co-occurring environmental contaminants.
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Nano- and micro-polystyrene plastics disturb gut microbiota and intestinal immune system in honeybee.
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Honeybees orally exposed to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics showed disrupted gut microbiota and impaired intestinal immune function, with nanoplastics causing greater effects than microplastics. Since honeybees are critical pollinators for food production, microplastic contamination in their environment could affect both bee health and agricultural systems.
Microplastics reach the brain and interfere with honey bee cognition
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Researchers found that microplastics reach honey bee brains and impair cognitive function, with bees exposed to mixed polymer combinations showing disrupted learning and memory abilities, demonstrating that plastic pollution poses a direct threat to pollinator health.
Polystyrene microplastics reduce honeybee survival by disrupting gut microbiota and metabolism
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Honeybees exposed to polystyrene microplastics at environmentally realistic concentrations showed reduced survival rates, damaged gut walls, and disrupted gut bacteria and metabolism. The microplastics accumulated in the bees' guts, causing oxidative stress and shifting the microbial community toward harmful species. Since honeybees are essential pollinators for many food crops, microplastic threats to bee health could have indirect consequences for agriculture and human food security.
Microplastics in honey bees (Apis mellifera): from exposure pathways to mechanistic toxicity, behavioral disruption, and colony-level risks
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This review summarizes existing research on microplastics in honey bees, found in honey, beeswax, pollen and nectar. Lab studies show microplastics can cause gut damage, stress and possible memory and learning problems in bees, but effects on whole colonies, pollination and human health remain unproven.
Microplastics reach the brain and interfere with honey bee cognition
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Researchers found that polystyrene and plexiglass microplastics can reach the brains of honey bees and disrupt their cognitive function, impairing sucrose responsiveness and appetitive olfactory learning and memory at environmentally relevant concentrations.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.