Risk Assessment of Effects of Essential Oils on Honey Bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.)
The toxicity of synthetic pesticides to non-target organisms has prompted a shift towards more environmentally friendly agricultural pest control methods, including the use of essential oils as possible biopesticides. Before these natural chemicals can be widely adopted for protecting food supplies...
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MDPI AG
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/3/303 |
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| author | Joel Caren Yu-Cheng Zhu Quentin D. Read Yuzhe Du |
| author_facet | Joel Caren Yu-Cheng Zhu Quentin D. Read Yuzhe Du |
| author_sort | Joel Caren |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The toxicity of synthetic pesticides to non-target organisms has prompted a shift towards more environmentally friendly agricultural pest control methods, including the use of essential oils as possible biopesticides. Before these natural chemicals can be widely adopted for protecting food supplies and human health, it is crucial to evaluate their impacts on pollinators, such as honey bees. In this study, we examined the effects of one commercially available essential oil mixture (EcoTec+) and four essential oil components (β-bisabolene, cinnamaldehyde, 1,8-cineole, and eugenol) on honey bee workers using feeding or spray treatment. We then assessed the responses of esterase (EST), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), acetylcholine esterase (AChE), and P450. EcoTec+ increased the P450 transcript, while bisabolene inhibited EST and AChE, increased GST, and caused a mixed P450 response without being lethal. Cinnamaldehyde exhibited toxicity when ingested, suppressing P450 and eliciting a mixed response in AChE. Cineole inhibited EST but caused a mixed P450 response. Eugenol suppressed EST and AChE and was toxic on contact. We also assayed combinations of each compound with four synthetic formulations representative of the major pesticide categories, though no significant interactions were found. Overall, the essential oils tested did not cause acute lethal toxicity to honey bees; however, their biochemical effects varied, mostly remaining sublethal. These findings suggest that these essential oils could be considered safe for use around honey bees. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e21ae57bc02441e58daf59d45b680625 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj-art-e21ae57bc02441e58daf59d45b6806252025-08-20T02:11:14ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502025-03-0116330310.3390/insects16030303Risk Assessment of Effects of Essential Oils on Honey Bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.)Joel Caren0Yu-Cheng Zhu1Quentin D. Read2Yuzhe Du3Jamie Whitten Delta States Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Stoneville, MS 38776, USAJamie Whitten Delta States Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Stoneville, MS 38776, USAUnited States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Southeast Area, Raleigh, NC 27606, USAJamie Whitten Delta States Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Stoneville, MS 38776, USAThe toxicity of synthetic pesticides to non-target organisms has prompted a shift towards more environmentally friendly agricultural pest control methods, including the use of essential oils as possible biopesticides. Before these natural chemicals can be widely adopted for protecting food supplies and human health, it is crucial to evaluate their impacts on pollinators, such as honey bees. In this study, we examined the effects of one commercially available essential oil mixture (EcoTec+) and four essential oil components (β-bisabolene, cinnamaldehyde, 1,8-cineole, and eugenol) on honey bee workers using feeding or spray treatment. We then assessed the responses of esterase (EST), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), acetylcholine esterase (AChE), and P450. EcoTec+ increased the P450 transcript, while bisabolene inhibited EST and AChE, increased GST, and caused a mixed P450 response without being lethal. Cinnamaldehyde exhibited toxicity when ingested, suppressing P450 and eliciting a mixed response in AChE. Cineole inhibited EST but caused a mixed P450 response. Eugenol suppressed EST and AChE and was toxic on contact. We also assayed combinations of each compound with four synthetic formulations representative of the major pesticide categories, though no significant interactions were found. Overall, the essential oils tested did not cause acute lethal toxicity to honey bees; however, their biochemical effects varied, mostly remaining sublethal. These findings suggest that these essential oils could be considered safe for use around honey bees.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/3/303essential oilhoney beeenzymesinsecticidebiopesticidetoxicity |
| spellingShingle | Joel Caren Yu-Cheng Zhu Quentin D. Read Yuzhe Du Risk Assessment of Effects of Essential Oils on Honey Bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.) Insects essential oil honey bee enzymes insecticide biopesticide toxicity |
| title | Risk Assessment of Effects of Essential Oils on Honey Bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.) |
| title_full | Risk Assessment of Effects of Essential Oils on Honey Bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.) |
| title_fullStr | Risk Assessment of Effects of Essential Oils on Honey Bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Risk Assessment of Effects of Essential Oils on Honey Bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.) |
| title_short | Risk Assessment of Effects of Essential Oils on Honey Bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i> L.) |
| title_sort | risk assessment of effects of essential oils on honey bees i apis mellifera i l |
| topic | essential oil honey bee enzymes insecticide biopesticide toxicity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/16/3/303 |
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