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BACKGROUND: Eriopis connexa is an important predator in the Neotropical region, associated with pests of economic relevance on horticultural crops in Argentina. The use of broad‐spectrum insecticides could reduce the biodiversity of these natural enemies in agroecosystems and put at risk its conservation. New, selective "risk reduced" insecticides could be an alternative to conventional chemical control to promote sustainable agriculture. The goal of this work was to assess the lethal and sublethal effects of two insect growth regulator (IGR) insecticides on eggs and two larval instars of E. connexa exposed to insecticides. RESULTS: Pyriproxyfen and cypermethrin significantly affected egg hatching by 28.8% and 70.4%, respectively. Pyriproxyfen reduced the survival of larvae that emerged by ≈52% from Day (D3)3 after hatching and caused the lengthening of developmental time for both larval and pupal stages. By contrast, teflubenzuron did not reduce hatching and survival but shortened the developmental time of the pupae stage. Cypermethrin reduced the survival of 2nd (L2) and 4th (L4) larval instars by 36.4% and 74.6%, respectively, and lengthened the development time of L2. Pyriproxyfen lengthened the development time of L4 and reduced the fecundity and fertility of females. Teflubenzuron reduced survival of L2 and L4 larval instars by 46.9% and 28.6%, respectively, and lengthened the total development time for the larval stage. In addition, teflubenzuron reduced the fecundity and fertility of females. CONCLUSIONS: Both eggs and larvae were susceptible to exposure to IGR, showing lethal and sublethal effects. This study highlights, once again, the higher toxicity of cypermethrin to E. connexa. The toxicity of both IGR insecticides could impair the performance of E. connexa as a biological control agent in agroecosystems. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Industrialization and the extensive use of chemicals have raised significant concerns about their environmental impacts, particularly on aquatic ecosystems. This study evaluated the sub-lethal effects of Celcron (Cec), an organophosphate insecticide, on the Java barb (Barbonymus gonionotus) through erythrocyte morphology and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, aiming to refine biomarkers for environmental health assessments. We hypothesized that sub-lethal Cec exposure would induce significant erythrocyte abnormalities and decrease AChE activity in Java barb, with variable recovery rates between gill and kidney tissues. To test this, we exposed the juvenile Java barbs to two sub-lethal Cec concentrations - 0.01 ppm (10 % of the LC 50 ) and 0.05 ppm (50 % of the LC 50 ) -for 60 days. After the exposure period, the fish were placed in pesticide-free water to allow for recovery. Results indicated a significant decline in AChE activity in both liver and kidney tissues, with activity levels showing gradual recovery over time. Erythrocyte abnormalities, including nuclear and cellular changes, were significantly elevated in response to Cec exposure. The frequency of nuclear abnormalities such as micronuclei and binucleation increased in a concentration- and duration-dependent manner, with the gill blood exhibiting higher sensitivity and slower recovery compared to kidney blood. Cellular abnormalities such as twin, teardrop and spindle-shaped cells were also more prevalent in Cec-treated fish. Recovery from these abnormalities was observed but varied between gill and kidney blood, with gill blood showing higher sensitivity and slower recovery compared to kidney blood. This study underscores the utility of AChE activity and erythrocyte abnormalities as biomarkers for assessing pesticide impacts on aquatic organisms. The findings highlight the sensitivity of fish erythrocytes to environmental contaminants and emphasize the need for continued research to better understand the long-term effects of pesticide exposure on aquatic health and ecosystem stability., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The emergence of nanotechnology has opened new avenues for enhancing pest control strategies through the development of nanopesticides. Green-fabricated nanoparticles, while promising due to their eco-friendly synthesis methods, may still pose risks to biodiversity and ecosystem stability. The potential toxic effects of nanomaterials on ecosystems and human health raise important questions about their real-world application. Understanding the dose-response relationships of nanopesticides, both in terms of pest control efficacy and non-target organism safety, is crucial for ensuring their sustainable use in agricultural settings. This review delves into the complexities of silver nanopesticides, exploring their interactions with arthropod species, modes of action, and underlying mechanisms of toxicity. It discusses critical issues concerning the emergence of silver nanopesticides, spanning their mosquitocidal efficacy to environmental impact and safety considerations. While nano‑silver has shown promise in targeting insect pests, there is a lack of systematic research comparing its effects on different arthropod subclasses. Moreover, factors influencing nanotoxicity, such as nanoparticle size, charge, and surface chemistry, require further investigation to optimize the design of eco-safe nanoparticles for pest control. By elucidating the mechanisms by which nanoparticles interact with pests and non-target organisms, we can enhance the specificity and effectiveness of nanopesticides while minimizing unintended ecological consequences., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Pyrethroid insecticides are widely detected in aquatic ecosystems due to their extensive use in agriculture and horticulture, which could pose a potential risk to aquatic non-target organisms. While previous ecotoxicological studies have been conducted mainly with standard tests and local species under temperate conditions, scarce information is available on the effects of pyrethroid insecticides on communities and ecosystems under (sub-)tropical conditions. A single application of lambda-cyhalothrin at concentrations of 0, 9, 30, and 100 ng/L was evaluated in outdoor mesocosms under sub-tropical conditions. Lambda-cyhalothrin was found to dissipate rapidly in the water column, with only 11 % and 7 % of the remaining dose measured at 1 and 3 days after application, respectively. Lambda-cyhalothrin concentrations disappeared considerably faster from the water compartment compared to temperate conditions. Consistent decreases in abundance were observed for Lecane lunaris at the medium and higher treatments (NOEC = 9 ng/L) and at the highest treatment (NOEC = 30 ng/L) for Keratella tropica. On the contrary, two taxa belonging to Cladocera (i.e., Ceriodaphnia sp. and Diaphanosoma sp.) showed the most prominent increase in abundance related to the lambda-cyhalothrin treatments. At the community level, a consistent no observed effect concentrations (NOECs) of 9 ng/L could be calculated for the zooplankton community. A marginal significant overall treatment related effect was observed for the macroinvertebrate community. The results of species sensitivity distribution (SSD) analysis based on results of acute toxicity experiments conducted alongside the mesocosm experiment and obtained from the literature indicated that macroinvertebrates from temperate regions may be generally more sensitive than their counterparts in (sub-)tropical regions. Overall, these findings suggest that environmentally relevant concentrations of the pyrethroid insecticide lambda-cyhalothrin may lead to different ecological outcomes in freshwater ecosystems in the (sub-)tropics relative to temperate regions., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Growing concerns have emerged over the combined effects of multiple stressors on ecosystems. Empirical evidence shows that the sensitivity of aquatic invertebrates to insecticides varies under thermally fluctuating conditions. Additionally, field surveys in estuarine areas of western Japan confirmed the presence of juvenile kuruma prawns (Penaeus japonicus) carrying the white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). Given the potential of co-exposure to multiple stressors, we performed a combined exposure experiment using a full-factorial design with three stressors: WSSV infection (presence or absence: initial 2 h exposure), fipronil (insecticide) exposure (0 or 0.1 μg/L: 14 d exposure), and temperature (20, 25, or 30 °C). We observed the highest mortality (75 %) in the WSSV + Fipronil treatment at 30 °C, with the associated specimens showing significant changes in the internal load of WSSV and concentrations of fipronil and its metabolite, fipronil sulfone. Severe perturbations of metabolites associated with increased energy expenditure and fatty acid utilization have been identified as potential factors underlying lethality in juvenile kuruma prawns. The results demonstrate that WSSV infection increases the susceptibility of thermally stressed juvenile kuruma prawns to fipronil. Therefore, further studies are required to determine the combined effects of multiple stressors in environmentally relevant scenarios on juvenile kuruma prawns as well as in estuarine ecosystems., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The global decline of pollinators has become a major concern for the scientific community, policymakers, and the general public. Among the main drivers of diminishing bee populations is the widespread use of agrochemicals. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the foraging dynamics of bees at agrochemical-contaminated areas, it is essential to consider both environmental conditions and the specific foraging ecology of bee species. For the first time, we conducted a semi-field study to investigate whether stingless bees exhibit a preference for food contaminated with agrochemicals compared to non- contaminated food, under natural weather conditions. Colonies of Plebeia lucii Moure, 2004 were placed in a greenhouse and subjected to a preference test, where bees were given the freedom to choose between contaminated or non-contaminated food sources following a preliminary training period. Within the greenhouse, we placed feeders containing realistic concentrations of an insecticide (acephate: 2 mg a.i./L), a herbicide (glyphosate: 31.3 mg a.i./L), or a mixture of both, alongside non-contaminated food. Environmental variables (temperature, humidity, and light intensity) were monitored throughout the experiment. At higher temperatures, the foragers preferred food containing the mixture of both agrochemicals or uncontaminated food over the other treatments. At lower temperatures, by contrast, the bees preferred food laced with a single agrochemical (acephate or glyphosate) over uncontaminated food or the agrochemical mixture. Our findings indicate that agrochemical residues in nectar pose a significant threat to P. lucii colonies, as foragers do not actively avoid contaminated food, despite the detrimental effects of acephate and glyphosate on bees. Furthermore, we demonstrate that even minor, natural fluctuations in environmental conditions can alter the colony exposure risk. Despite the interplay between temperature and bees' preference for contaminated food, foragers consistently collected contaminated food containing both agrochemicals, whether isolated or in combination, throughout the whole experiment., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Wild bees pollinate crops and wildflowers where they are frequently exposed to pesticides. Neonicotinoids are the most commonly used insecticide globally, but restrictions on their use and rising pest resistance have increased the demand for alternative pesticides. Flupyradifurone is a novel insecticide that has been licenced globally for use on bee-visited crops. Here, in a semi-field experiment, we exposed solitary bees (Osmia lignaria) to a commercial pesticide formulation (Sivanto Prime) containing flupyradifurone at label-recommended rates. We originally designed the experiment to examine sublethal effects, but contrary to our expectations, 100 % of bees released into pesticide-treated cages died within 3 days of exposure, compared to 0 % in control plots. Bees exposed to flupyradifurone a few days after the initial application survived but endured prolonged sublethal effects, including lower nesting success, impairment to foraging efficiency, and higher mortality. These results demonstrate that exposure to this novel insecticide poses significant threats to solitary bees and add to a growing body of evidence indicating that this pesticide can have negative impacts on wild bees at field-realistic concentrations. In the short-term, we recommend that commercial formulations containing flupyradifurone should be restricted to non-flowering crops while a reassessment of its safety can be conducted. In the long-term, environmental risk assessors should continue to develop risk assessments that are truly holistic and incorporate the ecological and life history traits of multiple pollinator species., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare they have no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The widespread use of carbamate pesticides has led to numerous environmental and health concerns, including water contamination and perturbation of endocrine homeostasis among organisms. However, there remains a paucity of research elucidating the specific effects of methomyl on gut microbial composition and physiological functions. This study aimed to investigate the intricate relationship between changes in zebrafish bacterial communities and intestinal function after 56 days of sub-chronic methomyl exposure at environmentally relevant concentrations (0, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.20 mg/L). Our findings reveal significant methomyl-induced morphological changes in zebrafish intestines, characterized by villi shortening and breakage. Notably, methomyl exposure down-regulated nutrient and energy metabolism, and drug metabolism at 0.05-0.10 mg/L, while up-regulating cortisol, inflammation-related genes, and apoptotic markers at 0.20 mg/L. These manifestations indicate physiological stress imposition and disruption of gut microbiota equilibrium, impacting metabolic processes and instigating low-grade inflammatory responses and apoptotic cascades. Importantly, changes in intestinal function significantly correlated with shifts in specific bacterial taxa abundance, including Shewanella, Rubrobacter, Acinetobacter, Bacillus, Luteolibacter, Nocardia, Defluviimonas, and Bacteroides genus. In summary, our study underscores the potential adverse effects of environmental methomyl exposure on aquatic organisms, emphasizing the necessity for further research to mitigate its repercussions on environmental health and ecosystem stability., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Given their relatively low persistence and mammalian toxicity, neonicotinoid pesticides have been extensively used worldwide and are omnipresent in the environment. Recent studies have shown that neonicotinoids may pose adverse effects on non-target organisms other than the known neurotoxicity, raising emerging concerns that these insecticides might pose human health risk through additional toxicity pathways. In the present study, the mitochondria function, oxidative stress, DNA damages, and genes transcription levels were examined in the human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells after 48-h exposure to imidacloprid at concentrations from 0.05 to 200 μmol/L. Results showed that imidacloprid induced mitochondrial dysfunction with the degradation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) levels. In addition, imidacloprid caused oxidative stress by stimulating the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) via the disruption of calcium ion level and mitochondrial function. Ultimately, the oxidative stress continued to produce DNA damage and apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells at imidacloprid concentrations above 47.6 μmol/L. Among the evaluated endpoints, ATP was the most sensitive, with a median activity concentration of 0.74 μmol/L. The 5 % hazard concentration of imidacloprid was estimated to be 0.69 μmol/L, which can be used as a threshold for human health risk assessment for imidacloprid. Collectively, our results provide an important support for further research on potential toxicity of neonicotinoids related to mitochondrial toxicity in humans., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Huizhen Li reports financial support was provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Fenghua Wei reports financial support was provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Jing You reports financial support was provided by the Department of Education of Guangdong Province. Fenghua Wei reports financial support was provided by the Department of Education of Guangdong Province. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Spirotetramat, an insecticide derived from cycloketone and extensively utilized in agricultural production, has been reported to be toxic to an array of aquatic organisms. Previous studies have indicated that spirotetramat can cause toxicity such as impaired ovarian development and apoptosis in zebrafish, but its toxicological effects on lipid metabolism and liver health in zebrafish remain unclear. In this study, we explored the effects of spirotetramat exposure on zebrafish (Danio rerio) by examining key markers of lipid metabolism, alterations in gene expression related to this process, and histological characteristics of the liver. Spirotetramat significantly reduced the condition factor, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels at 2 mg/L. The expression of genes related to fatty acid synthesis (acacb), β-oxidation (acox1, pparda) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (tnf-α, il-1β) was downregulated. However, the expression of genes related to lipid transport and uptake (cd36, ppara) and output (apob) was upregulated. The activity of alanine aminotransferase was significantly inhibited. Histopathology results showed that spirotetramat exposure led to liver cell vacuolation and necrosis. In addition, molecular docking results of spirotetramat and lipid transport related protein (ACC, ApoB) in both zebrafish and human showed the binding energy of human proteins is lower than that for zebrafish, and that the number of hydrogen bonds formed was higher. It is speculated that spirotetramat may also pose a significant potential hazard to humans, potentially affecting human lipid metabolism and health. This study expunge shed light on the ecological toxicity of spirotetramat by showing how it disrupts lipid metabolism and causes tissue damage specifically in zebrafish liver, contributing to a deeper understanding of its harmful effects in aquatic environment., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The excessive and frequent use of insecticides has led to serious problems with insecticide residues, impacting nontarget organisms such as the parasitoid Encarsia formosa. This study examined the growth, development, and enzyme activity of E. formosa exposed to spirotetramat at LC 10 , LC 30 , and LC 50 . The regression equation for the toxicity of spirotetramat toward E. formosa was Y = 5.25X-11.07. After exposure to spirotetramat, the survival rates of E. formosa sharply decreased, which occurred earlier than those in the control batch. Although the maximum daily parasitism quantity of E. formosa increased and the average parasitism number, enumerated from the 1st to the 5th day, was 53.97 after being exposed to spirotetramat at LC 10 , the life span of its F 1 generation adults was only 8.47 days, which was significantly shorter than that in the control batch. After being exposed to spirotetramat at LC 50 , the average parasitism number of E. formosa was 63.30, and the developmental time of its F 1 generation, enumerated from the 1st to the 5th day after exposure to spirotetramat, was significantly longer than that of the control batch. The activities of mixed function oxidase, acetylcholinesterase, carboxylesterase, and catalase increased significantly, and the rate of increase in enzyme activity was directly proportional to the increase in the concentration of spirotetramat. These results revealed that the parasitic ability of E. formosa decreased after exposure to spirotetramat at LC 10 , LC 30 , and LC 50 . This leads to a change in parasitoid control of pests, revealing the potential environmental threat of insecticide residues to nontarget organisms., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The utilization of nitenpyram for aphid and whitefly control may induce environmental contamination and negative repercussions on non-target organisms. Formerly, we found that nitenpyram would pollute the peripheral and sub-peripheral areas of the adjacent mulberry orchard. Under acute toxicity conditions, nitenpyram induced oxidative damage in silkworms, affected biological metabolism, synthesis, immunity, and signal transduction. Considering the impact of nitenpyram mist drift on mulberry leaves, we investigated the effects of low concentrations of nitenpyram on silkworms. The results showed that silkworms exposed to 0.17 mg/L, 0.35 mg/L and 0.70 mg/L of nitenpyram (1/40 LC 50 , 1/20 LC 50 and 1/10 LC 50 ) showed obvious poisoning symptoms. The cocoon weight and cocoon shell weight decreased gradually with increases in the concentration, and these decreases prolonged the growth and development time of silkworms and induced the detoxification enzymes carboxylesterase (CarE) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) to cope with the stress damage caused by nitenpyram. Exposure to low concentrations of nitenpyram downregulates genes involved in the drug metabolism-other enzymes and peroxisome pathway in silkworms. Additionally, through injection of miRNA mimics and inhibitors, we discovered that detoxifying enzyme pathway genes are influenced by bmo-miR-3382-3P, bmo-miR-3213-5P and bmo-miR-133, regulating the immune response of silkworms. This study provides an overall view of the toxicity and detoxification metabolism of nitenpyram in silkworm, and provides a reference for environmental assessment., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Melia azedarach L. is a Meliaceae that has shown important insecticidal activities. However, few researchers have extensively studied the toxicology of aqueous extracts of M. azedarach (MAE). Therefore, the main objective of this study was to characterize the phyto-eco-toxicological profile of MAE. First, a botanical and phytochemical characterization of MAE was performed using a histological, and metabolomic multi-analytical approach. Second, the toxicological effects on pollinating insects (Apis mellifera ligustica) and soil collembola (Folsomia candida) were evaluated. In addition, acute toxicity was evaluated in zebrafish (Danio rerio) to assess effects on aquatic fauna, and toxicity was determined in human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) and fibroblast (FB-21) cell models. Finally, phytotoxic effects on germination of Cucumis sativus L., Brassica rapa L. and Sorghum vulgare L. were considered. Metabolomic analyses revealed the presence of not only limonoids but also numerous alkaloids, flavonoids and terpenoids in MAE. Histological analyses allowed us to better localize the areas of leaf deposition of the identified secondary metabolites. Regarding the ecotoxicological data, no significant toxicity was observed in bees and collembola at all doses tested. In contrast, severe cardiac abnormalities were observed in zebrafish embryos at concentrations as low as 25 μg/mL. In addition, MAE showed toxicity at 1.6 μg/mL and 6.25 μg/mL in FB-21 and SH-SY5Y cells, respectively. Finally, MAE inhibited seed germination with inhibitory concentrations starting from 5.50 μg/mL in B. rapa, 20 μg/mL in S. vulgare, and 31 μg/mL in C. sativus. Although M. azedarach extracts are considered valuable natural insecticides, their ecological impact cannot be underestimated. Even the use of an environmentally friendly solvent (an aqueous solution), for the first time, is not without side effects. Therefore, the data collected in this study show the importance of evaluating the dosages, modes of administration and production methods of M. azedarach phytoextracts in agricultural settings., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Emamectin benzoate is an avermectin bio-insecticide commonly used for managing several insect pests including Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a major polyphagous pest of many cultivated crops. The current study was conducted to evaluate the effects of emamectin benzoate on the fitness of S. litura populations exhibiting differential susceptibility to insecticide. The selection process and all the bioassays were carried out using 6-day-old 2nd instar larvae of S. litura. A field-collected population of S. litura was divided into two groups: one selected with emamectin benzoate for eight generations (EB-Sel) and the other kept unexposed (Unsel-Lab) to insecticide in the laboratory. An increase in resistance ratio from 1.71-fold in the F 1 generation to 22.54-fold in the F 8 generation of the EB-Sel population was observed compared to the Unsel-Lab (F 8 ) population. The EB-Sel and Unsel-Lab populations were treated with their respective lethal and sub-lethal concentrations which resulted in an extended development period, decreased larval survival, and adult emergence along with increased morphological abnormalities in adults. Significant reductions were observed in both male and female longevity, fecundity, egg hatching, net reproductive rate (R 0 ), intrinsic rate of increase (r m ), and finite rate of increase (λ) in EB-Sel and Unsel-Lab populations. Higher concentrations of the insecticide also reduced the relative fitness (R f ) of S. litura larvae, with maximum effect at LC 50 of the EB-Sel population where the R f value was 0.32 compared to the Unsel-Lab population. Both populations have been affected by emamectin benzoate exposure, however, the impact was more pronounced in the EB-Sel population indicating fitness costs. Our results suggested the fitness cost linked to emamectin benzoate resistance in S. litura which might favor managing insecticide resistance by reducing the frequency of resistant alleles by removing selection pressure. Consequently, our research provides significant insights to devise better pest management strategies for S. litura., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this manuscript., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Neonicotinoids, highly toxic to insects, are among the world's most used insecticides. However, their harmful effects on pollinators like honeybees and potential to contaminate water bodies have drawn significant criticism. Herein, a nanopesticide, NTP@LDH, was developed by intercalating the model neonicotinoid insecticide nitenpyram (NTP) within layered double hydroxide (LDH) materials using a simple one-pot method. The NTP@LDH showed a nano-sized sheet structure, with an average particle size of 206.2 nm and a loading capacity of 14.6 %. The release rate of NTP@LDH under acidic conditions was higher than that under alkaline or neutral conditions. The photodegradation capacity and insecticidal activity of NTP were unaffected by intercalation in LDH. Importantly, NTP@LDH could significantly enhance the foliar adhesive properties of NTP, retard its leaching through the soil, and improve its safety for honeybees. Moreover, LDH was safe for crops and can improve their growth. This work provides a promising strategy with a simple procedure that could reduce leaching risks of neonicotinoids while concurrently enhancing their safety to pollinating creatures., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Emerging nanopesticides are gradually gaining widespread application in agriculture due to their excellent properties, but their potential risks to pollinating insects are not fully understood. In this study, lambda-cyhalothrin nanocapsules (LC-NCs) were constructed by electrostatic self-assembly method with iron mineralization optimization, and their effects on bee gut microbial communities and host immune-related factors were investigated. Microbiome sequencing revealed that LC-NCs increase the diversity of gut microbial communities and reduce the complexity of network features, disrupting the overall structure of the microbial communities. In addition, LC-NCs also had systemic effects on the immune response of bees, including increased activity of SOD and CAT enzymes and expression of their genes, as well as downregulation of Defensin1. Furthermore, we noticed that the immune system of the host was activated simultaneously with a rise in the abundance of beneficial bacteria in the gut. Our research emphasizes the importance of both the host and gut microbiota of holobiont in revealing the potential risks of LC-NCs to environmental indicators of honey bees, and provides references for exploring the interactions between host-microbiota systems under exogenous stress. At the same time, we hope that more research can focus on the potential impacts of nanopesticides on the ecological environment., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Resmethrin, a pyrethroid pesticide used to control insects, is toxic to non-target organisms and other mammals. However, little is known about the reproductive toxicity of resmethrin in the testes, or its mechanism of toxicity. In this study, we investigated the testicular toxicity of resmethrin on mouse Leydig (TM3) and Sertoli (TM4) cells, focusing on the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum (ER). We found that resmethrin inhibited proliferation and cell cycle progression and disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP; ΔΨ) in TM3 and TM4 cells. In particular, resmethrin exposure significantly reduced the expression of mitochondria-associated membranes (MAMs) proteins, such as Vapb, Vdac, and Grp75, in both cell lines. Resmethrin also disrupts calcium homeostasis in the mitochondrial matrix and cytoplasm. In addition, resmethrin activates oxidative stress-mediated ER stress signals. Finally, we confirmed that 4-PBA, an ER stress inhibitor, restored the growth of TM3 and TM4 cells, which was decreased by resmethrin. Therefore, we confirmed that resmethrin hampered MAMs and activated ER stress, thus suppressing TM3 and TM4 cell proliferation., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Thiacloprid (TCL), commonly known as Biscaya, is among the most widely used pesticides in agriculture, designed to eliminate insects by targeting their nicotinic receptors. This study explores the effects of orally administering TCL (at a dose of 50 mg/kg) on the hormone secretion crucial for pregnancy and the factors influencing abortion throughout the early, middle, and late stages of pregnancy in female rats. Following TCL exposure, there were significant increases in levels of 17β-Estradiol, prostaglandins F 2α and E 2 , and serum oxytocin hormone in different stages of pregnancy. In contrast, progesterone and endothelin-1 serum levels notably decreased during the initial and final stages of pregnancy. Additionally, TCL led to a substantial rise in lipid peroxidation levels and a decrease in total thiol molecules and total antioxidant capacity, especially in uterine tissue. Although TCL did not significantly affect the morphological characteristics of the delivered fetuses, it notably increased the number of abortions, especially during the second and third stages of pregnancy. In summary, our findings suggest that TCL elevates the risk of abortion in pregnant rats by disrupting the secretion of hormones crucial for fertility (such as 17β-Estradiol/progesterone) and by increasing the secretion of abortion-inducing hormones like prostaglandins and oxytocin. Furthermore, these effects may be associated with disruptions in the oxidant/antioxidant balance within the ovaries and uterus., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

This study aimed to evaluate the spermotoxic potential of triazophos in rats and to check the possible shielding effect of quercetin and nano-quercetin against triazophos-induced toxicity. Rats in Group I were given olive oil as a vehicle. Group II and Group III received high-dose and low-dose triazophos, respectively. Oral administration of quercetin (Group IV) and nano-quercetin (Group VI) at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight was given to two additional groups of animals. Two other high-dose triazophos groups were co-administered with quercetin (Group V) and nano-quercetin (Group VII). Triazophos administration for 60 days in rats altered the structural and functional parameters of spermatozoa and brought about a decline in total sperm count, percentage of viable sperms, drop in sperm motility, and decrease in the number of sperms showing normal morphology. It also decreased the number of spermatozoa with intact acrosomes and HOST-positive spermatozoa. Further, triazophos increased the levels of reactive oxygen species and triggered apoptotic pathways in spermatozoa in a dose-dependent manner. It decreased daily sperm production and caused histomorphological aberrations in the epididymis and vas deferens. Co-administration of nano-quercetin with triazophos effectively counteracted sperm-related pathological changes. Nano-quercetin offered better protection over quercetin in ameliorating the triazophos-induced spermotoxicity in rats., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interests., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Neonicotinoid insecticides (NNI) are agonists of insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChR) that induce non-elucidate mechanisms of abnormal behavior in insects. In this work, we investigated the effects of sublethal doses of the neonicotinoid thiamethoxam (TMX) on neurochemical and physiological parameters in cockroaches. Sublethal doses of TMX (0.01-10 ng.g -1 body mass) caused significant alterations in most of the neurophysiological parameters evaluated. TMX reduced sustained locomotor activity by 19.9-25.8 %, depending on the dose. Leg grooming activity increased by 124.5 ± 3.4 %, 158.7 ± 3.5 %, 168.3 ± 3.4 %, and 160.4 ± 3.4 % (mean ± SEM) with TMX doses of 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 ng.g -1 , respectively. Exploratory activity was significantly reduced only at the lowest TMX dose (0.01 ng.g -1 ) - the time spent immobile increased from 30 % to ∼45 %, whereas none of the doses affected the walking speed. Treatment with TMX (0.01 ng.g -1 ) markedly reduced the olfactory sensitivity of the cockroaches and also reduced the mechanosensory action potential amplitude, rise time and decay time by 61.2 ± 19 %, 50 ± 4 %, and 76.8 ± 9.5 %, respectively. In semi-isolated heart preparations, TMX caused positive chronotropism (increases of 34.7 ± 15.9 %, 26.8 ± 7.8 %, 43.0 ± 16.5 %, and 19.0 ± 13.7 % for 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 ng of TMX, respectively). TMX attenuated the activity of glutathione-S-transferase by 35.1 ± 6.4 % at the highest dose tested (10 ng.g -1 ). TMX caused alterations in the metal ion content of cockroach brains that varied with the dose tested and the ion examined. These findings indicate that sublethal doses of TMX can interfere with normal neurological function in cockroaches and disrupt brain metal ion homeostasis., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors have no competing financial interests or personal relationships related to this work and its publication., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Spodoptera frugiperda is an economic agricultural pest that has invaded many countries around the world and caused huge losses in grain production. Camptothecin (CPT) is one of the botanical compounds with insecticidal activity and has the potential for pest control. However, the effects of CPT on development and metabolism of S. frugiperda remain unknown. In this study, we have investigated the adverse effects of 1.0 and 5.0 mg/kg CPT exposures on the growth and development of S. frugiperda. Our results found that 1.0 and 5.0 mg/kg CPT treatments altered the parameters of the life cycle, including inducing larval mortality, altering the weight of larvae, pupae, and adults, the larval duration, and decreasing the pupation rate and emergence rate. In addition, comparative metabolomics analysis was performed in the larval midgut of S. frugiperda to explore the toxicity mechanism of CPT. A total of 261 and 348 differential metabolites were identified in the groups with 1.0 and 5.0 mg/kg CPT treatments, respectively. Further analysis found that pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis, sulfur relay system, selenocompound metabolism, and fatty acid biosynthesis pathways were significantly altered by 5.0 mg/kg CPT exposure. Our results provided new insight into the toxicological mechanisms of CPT against S. frugiperda and laid the foundation for the field application of CPT in pest control., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The greater wax moth Galleria mellonella is a cosmopolitan pest of hives of the western honey bee Apis mellifera, where it remains exposed to varroicides applied by beekeepers in past decades as pest management chemicals for control of Varroa destructor, a devastating ectoparasite of bees. The prolonged presence of coumaphos residues, an organophosphate varroicide, in beeswax may be responsible for current levels of tolerance exhibited by G. mellonella, a non-target species that infests beehives. In this study, a field-collected strain of waxworms exhibited a higher LC 50 value for coumaphos than that of a laboratory strain that had not been continuously exposed to coumaphos residues at field concentrations. Despite its higher tolerance for coumaphos, the field strain experienced growth inhibition at ecologically relevant concentration of coumaphos. Moreover, at low environmental concentrations that did not alter growth, detoxification gene expression levels were substantially altered. RNA-Seq analysis revealed 1181 and 658 differentially expressed genes in fat body and midgut, respectively, with 378 and 186 of those genes upregulated. This large-scale upregulation encompassed 21 genes encoding cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs), 13 encoding UDP-glycosyltransferases (UGTs), 5 encoding glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), 2 encoding carboxylesterases (COEs), and 2 encoding ABC transporters (ABCs) in either tissue. Expression analysis of 13 selected candidate detoxification genes by RT-qPCR was consistent with their expression from RNA-Seq data. In sum, our results indicate that long-lasting pesticide residues in beeswax from past Varroa mite management may continue to act as selective agents on detoxification systems of hive residents other than the initial target species and that multiple resistance mechanisms to these chemicals may coexist within the beehive fauna., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Fenpropathrin (FPT) is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide, the persistence and accumulation in water of which could cause harmful effects on vulnerable groups like aquatic creatures, particularly posing significant risks to fish immune systems. This study aimed to investigate how environmentally relevant FPT concentrations (10-1000 μ/M) affect lipid peroxidation and Fe 2+ metabolism in Cyprinus carpio head kidney lymphocytes, and its relationship with oxidative stress and immunotoxicity. Firstly, CCK-8 results demonstrated that FPT caused a significant increase in lymphocyte death. Secondly, lymphocytes exposed to FPT could lead ferroptosis in lymphocytes, accompanied by evidence of the Fe 2+ transporter imbalance, lipid peroxidation, Fe 2+ accumulation and ferroptosis related protein increment. Thirdly, we found that FPT esposure leads to a decrease in ATP, mitochondrial DNA and NADPH/NADP + levels, and the mRNA associated with mitochondrial function-related genes (Fis1, Drp1, and OPA1) in lymphocytes. Additionally, FPT induced the increased the levels of inflammatory genes (TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-6) in head kidney lymphocytes. Importantly, exposure to FPT induced oxidative stress to produce intracellular ROS, disrupting the function of the CncC signaling pathway and expression disorder of xenobiotics detoxification (CYP 450 family) genes. Notably, Treatment with NAC (a ROS inhibitor, 5 μM) demonstrated that inhibiting ROS alleviated FPT-induced lymphocyte ferroptosis and inflammatory response via the ROS/CncC-xenobiotics signaling pathway. These findings not only introduces a novel approach to investigating the immunotoxicity of FPT but also offers critical insights into mitigating the adverse effects of FPT on aquatic animal health., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there are no competing interests., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Etofenprox is a pyrethroid insecticide that acts on the nervous system of insects. Due to its low toxicity to aquatic animals, it is permitted for use in controlling insect pests in rice fields. The brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens, a significant piercing-sucking pest feeding on rice exclusively, secretes various salivary components when feeding. Salivary proteins are essential for BPH feeding, but their response to etofenprox is not well understood. The application of etofenprox down-regulated the expression of 21 salivary protein genes, among which 9 genes (NlShpa, Salivap 3, CA, NlSEF1, Nl12, NlHSC70-3, NlSP1, NlG14, and NlDNAJB9) showed significant differences. Most differentially expressed genes are found important for BPH physiological processes, except Nl12. Here we found that silencing Nl12 impeded ovary development, thereby inhibiting oocyte formation. The potential explanation was that Nl12 was highly expressed in both salivary gland and ovary, and the ovary development abnormality may be due to the direct effect from expression reduction in ovary and/or indirect influence from expression reduction in salivary gland. Altogether, our findings provide a new insight into the mechanism of action of etofenprox on insect pests and explain part of the reason why etofenprox does not stimulate reproduction in BPH., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Abamectin (ABN) is an agricultural insecticide that is reported to damage various body organs including the heart. Velutin (VLN) is a plant-derived flavonoid that exhibits a wide range of medicinal properties. This study was planned to investigate the medicinal value of VLN against ABN induced cardiotoxicity in rats. Thirty-two male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were divided into four equal groups including the control, ABN (10 mg/kg), ABN (10 mg/kg) + VLN (20 mg/kg), and VLN (20 mg/kg) alone administrated group. The doses were administrated for 6 weeks orally. The results demonstrated that ABN intoxication promoted the gene expression of Nrf-2 and its associated antioxidant genes including glutathione reductase (GSR), heme‑oxygenase-1 (HO-1), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) while reducing the gene expression of Keap-1 as well as levels of ROS and MDA. Moreover, ABN exposure enhanced the gene expression of Janus kinase-1 (JAK1), Signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3), NF-κB, TNF-α, C-reactive proteins, Interferon-gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10), IL-1β, Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), IL-6 and COX-2. The concentrations of CK-MB, Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), CPK, troponin-I, N-terminal pro b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and LDH were elevated after ABN administration. ABN intoxication abruptly upregulated the levels of Caspase-3, Caspase-9 and Bax while reducing the levels of Bcl-2 in cardiac tissues. Additionally, ABN exposure prompted various histopathological damages. Nevertheless, VLN treatment remarkably protected the cardiac tissues via regulating aforementioned disruptions. Lastly, molecular docking analysis was performed to determine the potential affinity of VLN and targeted protein i.e., Bax, NF-kB, Nrf-2/Keap1, JAK1 and STAT3. Our in-silico evaluation showed a strong binding affinitybetween VLN and the targeted proteins which further confirms its effectiveness as a cardioprotective agent., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest None., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The organophosphorus insecticide Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is widely used worldwide due to its high effectiveness. However, when ingested through the mouth and nose, it can cause severe neurotoxic effects and cognitive impairment. Natural anthocyanins show great potential in improving cognitive impairment. In this paper, we will delve into the protective effect of anthocyanins on CPF-induced cognitive impairment and its mechanism through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. Morris water maze, histopathological, ELISA and western blot analyses showed that anthocyanins effectively ameliorated CPF-induced spatial learning memory impairment in mice by ameliorating CPF-induced AChE inhibition, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation and by modulating the levels of apoptosis (Caspase-3, Caspase-9) and autophagy (LC3II/ LC3I, Beclin1, p62, mTOR) biomarkers, in order to restore damaged hippocampal tissue morphology, neuron and synapse structures. To identify the action pathway of anthocyanins, we used KEGG and GO pathway enrichment analysis for screening prediction and western blot and molecular docking to verify that anthocyanins improve CPF-induced cognitive impairment by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced reporting of the research findings., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Flupyrimin (FLP) is a novel class of insecticide acting on insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) and shows robust insecticidal activity. However, the toxicological effects of FLP on Spodoptera litura have not been revealed. In this study, the results showed that the larval survival rate decreased significantly with increasing concentration of FLP. The hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining showed that FLP exposure damages the structure of the larval midgut. Additionally, FLP treatments significantly increased the activities of detoxification (GST and CarE) and digestive (α-Amylase and Trypsin) enzymes and reduced lipase activity. Transcriptome sequencing identified 855, 1493 and 735 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at 12 h, 24 h and 48 h after exposure to 3 mM FLP, respectively. Gene function enrichment analysis revealed that DEGs were mainly related to fatty acid metabolic, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum and drug metabolism-cytochrome P450. The DEGs associated with food digestion and detoxification was validated by reverse-transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Furthermore, a total of fifteen energy-related metabolites were identified, among which thirteen metabolisms were significantly influenced after FLP treatment based on 1 H NMR-based metabolome analysis, including tyrosine, glucose, trehalose, malate, threonine, proline, glycine, lysine, citrate, alanine, lactate, valine, and leucine. Taken together, these results provide useful information for revealing the toxicological effect of FLP against S. litura., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Pesticides including insecticides are applied in agricultural practices to control insect pests. However, their excessive usage often poses a severe threat to the growth, physiology, and biochemistry of plants. Here, responses of chickpea and greengram seedlings exposed to three fipronil (FIP) concentrations i. e. 100 (1×), 200 (2×) and 300 (3×) μg mL -1 was evaluated under in vitro. Among doses, 3× had a greater negative impact on germination attributes, root-shoot elongation, vigor indices, length ratios, and survival of seedlings. Besides, the morphological distortion in root tips, oxidative stress generation, and cellular death in fipronil-supplemented root seedlings were observed under scanning electron (SEM) and confocal laser scanning (CLSM), respectively. A significant (p ≤ 0.05) and pronounced upsurge in plant stressor metabolites such as proline, malondialdehyde (MDA), electrolyte leakage (EL), hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) content, and antioxidants enzymes in plant seedlings further confirmed the fipronil toxicity. In addition, a concentration-dependent decrease in respiration efficiency (RE) and ATP content in FIP-treated seedlings was observed. Reduced mitotic index (MI) and numerous chromosomal anomalies (CAs) in root meristematic cells of seedlings are a clear indication of insecticide-induced cytotoxicity. Furthermore, a dose-dependent increase in DNA damage in root meristematic cells of greengram revealed the genotoxic potential of fipronil. Conclusively, fipronil suggested phyto and cyto-genotoxic effects that emphasize their careful monitoring in soils before application and their optimum addition in soil-plant systems. It is high time to prepare both target-specific and slow-released agrochemical formulations for crop protection with concurrent safeguarding of the soil., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors certify that the work mentioned in this publication has not been influenced by competing financial or personal links between them., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Fenpropathrin (FNP) is a kind of insecticide and acaricide known as pyrethroid. It is very effective, has a wide range of activities, and works quickly. Internationally, it is commonly considered the most powerful pyrethroid insecticide. Nevertheless, an increasing amount of data indicates a substantial link between Fenpropathrin and adverse effects on nontarget species, including liver toxicity, kidney toxicity, nerve damage, and reproductive toxicity. Oxidative stress plays a vital role in the toxicity of fenpropathrin, in addition to its mechanical mechanism. This study offers a thorough examination of the harmful effects of Fenpropathrin on oxidative and mitochondrial processes, as well as the signaling pathways involved in these effects. The significant impact of oxidative stress emphasizes the toxicity of Fenpropathrin., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Pyrethroids are widely used insecticides with huge applications for household as well as agricultural purposes and contribute to improved product quality and higher yields. In recent decades, the demand for pyrethroids has increased significantly due to advantages such as broad-spectrum efficacy, high insecticidal potential, and lower pest resistance. However, several studies have suggested that human exposure to pyrethroids leads to reproductive problems. Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is an important hormone transport protein regulating the availability of steroids at their target site. The aim of our study was to investigate the structural interactions of commonly used pyrethroids, cypermethrin and deltamethrin, with ligand binding pocket of SHBG. Cypermethrin and deltamethrin were docked into the steroid binding pocket of SHBG using Schrodinger's induced fit docking (IFD) followed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies. The resultant SHBG-pyrethroid complexes from IFD experiments were subjected to structural analysis including the molecular interactions followed by binding energy estimation. The analysis revealed that both the ligands were tightly bound in the SHBG pocket with high percentage of commonality among the SHBG residues between the indicated pyrethroid ligands and the SHBG native ligand, dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The estimated binding energy values for cypermethrin were less but close to the values calculated for the SHBG native ligand, DHT. However, the estimated binding energy values for deltamethrin were higher compared to the values calculated for SHBG native ligand, DHT. Furthermore, the MD simulation results also revealed the higher stability of SHBG-deltamethrin than SHBG-cypermethrin complex. To sum up, the results suggested that deltamethrin has a greater capability than cypermethrin to prevent sex steroid hormone from binding to SHBG, even though both pyrethroids have this ability. Consequently, this might hamper the circulatory transport of sex steroid hormones and their availability at the target site, subsequently interfering with reproductive function., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Neonicotinoids are ubiquitous in global surface waters and pose a significant risk to aquatic organisms. However, information is lacking on the variations in sensitivity of organisms at different developmental stages to the neurotoxic neonicotinoids. We established a spectrum of toxicity to zebrafish embryos at four neurodevelopmental stages (1, 3, 6, and 8 h post fertilization [hpf]) and dechorionated embryos at 6 hpf based on external and internal exposure to imidacloprid as a representative neonicotinoid. Embryos at the gastrula stage (6 and 8 hpf) were more sensitive to imidacloprid than embryos at earlier developmental stages. Dechorionated embryos were more sensitive to imidacloprid than embryos with a chorion, suggesting that the chorion offers protection against pollutants. Nine sublethal effects were induced by imidacloprid exposure, among which uninflated swim bladder (USB) was the most sensitive. Water depth and air availability in the exposure chambers were critical factors influencing the occurrence of USB in zebrafish larvae. Internal residues of metabolites accounted for <10% of imidacloprid, indicating that imidacloprid was metabolized in a limited fashion in the embryos. In addition, acute toxicity of the main metabolite 5-hydroxy-imidacloprid was significantly lower than that of imidacloprid, indicating that the observed toxicity in embryos exposed to imidacloprid was mainly induced by the parent compound. Our research offers a fresh perspective on choosing the initial exposure time in zebrafish embryo toxicity tests, particularly for neurotoxicants. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:2398-2408. © 2024 SETAC., (© 2024 SETAC.)

Food contaminates, such as insecticide, may influence the toxicity of nanoparticles (NPs) to intestine. The present study investigated the combined toxicity of TiO 2 NPs and fipronil to male mouse intestine. Juvenile mice (8 weeks) were orally exposed to 5.74 mg/kg TiO 2 NPs, 2.5 mg/kg fipronil, or both, once a day, for 5 days. We found that both TiO 2 NPs and fipronil induced some pathological changes in intestines, accompanying with defective autophagy, but these effects were not obviously enhanced after TiO 2 NP and fipronil co-exposure. Fipronil promoted Ti accumulation but induced minimal impact on other trace elements in TiO 2 NP-exposed intestines. Metabolomics data revealed that the exposure altered metabolite profiles in mouse intestines, and two KEGG pathways, namely, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism (mmu00053) and glutathione metabolism (mmu00480), were only statistically significantly changed after TiO 2 NP and fipronil co-exposure. Five metabolites, including 2-deoxy-D-erythro-pentofuranose 5-phosphate, 5alpha-cholestanol, beta-D-glucopyranuronic acid, elaidic acid, and isopentadecanoic acid, and maltotriose, were more significantly up-regulated after the co-exposure, whereas trisaccharide and xylonolactone were only significantly down-regulated by the co-exposure. We concluded that fipronil had minimal impact to enhance the toxicity of TiO 2 NPs to mouse intestines but altered metabolite profiles., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Background: Bees (Apis mellifera), as important pollinators of agricultural crops, are at risk when pesticides are used. Sulfoxaflor is a new insecticide which acts on the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in a similar way to neonicotinoids. The goal of this study is to evaluate the toxicity of sulfoxaflor and its effect on the A. mellifera exposure., Results: Initially, developmental indicators such as larval survival, pupation, and eclosion were inhibited by 5.0 mg/L (field concentration) sulfoxaflor. In the pupal stage, fat content was significantly increased, while the glycogen content decreased. In addition, A. mellifera heads were treated with 2.0 mg/L (sublethal concentration) of sulfoxaflor and analyzed by RNA sequencing. The transcriptome results indicated that 2.0 mg/L amounts of sulfoxaflor have adverse effects on the immune, digestive, and nervous systems. Sulfoxaflor down-regulated the expression of many genes involved in immunity, detoxification, the myosin cytoskeleton, sensory neurons, and odor-binding proteins., Conclusion: Field concentration and sublethal concentration were used for the combined analysis of honeybees. The effect of sublethal concentration of sulfoxaflor on honeybees was studied for the first time from the perspective of transcriptome sequencing of honeybee head. A preliminary study was carried out on the stress of sulfoxaflor at sublethal concentration on honeybee workers, which has certain research significance and can provide theoretical basis for the use of sulfoxaflor in the field environment. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.)

Neurodevelopmental disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), are characterized by persistent changes in communication and social interaction, as well as restricted and stereotyped patterns of behavior. The complex etiology of these disorders possibly combines the effects of multiple genes and environmental factors. Hence, exposure to insecticides such as imidacloprid (IMI) has been used to replicate the changes observed in these disorders. Lutein is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and is associated with neuroprotective effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of lutein-loaded nanoparticles, along with their mechanisms of action, on Drosophila melanogaster offspring exposed to IMI-induced damage. To simulate the neurodevelopmental disorder model, flies were exposed to a diet containing IMI for 7 days. Posteriorly, their offspring were exposed to a diet containing lutein-loaded nanoparticles for a period of 24 h, and male and female flies were subjected to behavioral and biochemical evaluations. Treatment with lutein-loaded nanoparticles reversed the parameters of hyperactivity, aggressiveness, social interaction, repetitive movements, and anxiety in the offspring of flies exposed to IMI. It also protected markers of oxidative stress and cell viability, in addition to preventing the reduction of Nrf2 and Shank3 immunoreactivity. These results demonstrate that the damage induced by exposure to IMI was restored through treatment with lutein-loaded nanoparticles, elucidating lutein's mechanisms of action as a therapeutic agent, which, after further studies, can become a co-adjuvant in the treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders, such as ASD and ADHD., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Reproductive deficiency is a major outcome of pesticide exposure sequel to cellular oxidative damage to sex organs. Flavonoid possess potent antioxidant capacities to mitigate pesticide related cellular injury. The present investigation examined the mitigative effect of micronized purified fractions of diosmin and hesperidin on reproductive hormones, sperm parameters, and testicular glycogen in male Wistar rats after sub-chronic Chlorpyriphos (CPF) exposure. Twenty-five male Wistar rats (120-145 g) were randomly allocated five rats per group. Group I (DW) received distilled water (2 ml/kg), Group II (S/oil) received soya oil (2 ml/kg), Group III (DAF) received Daflon at 1000 mg/kg, Group IV (CPF) received Chlorpyriphos (7.74 mg/kg), and Group V (DAF + CPF) received Daflon (1000 mg/kg) followed by CPF (7.74 mg/kg) after 30 min of Daflon. This regimen was administered daily for 60 days. After cervical venesection under light chloroform anesthesia, blood samples were examined for levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone. Each rat's testicular tissue was quickly cut, collected, and glycogen evaluated. Sperm concentration, motility, morphology, and viability were measured in the right caudal epididymis. Results revealed that the untreated CPF group had significantly lower FSH, LH, testosterone, testicular glycogen, and sperm concentration. Additionally, CPF group sperm characteristics were abnormal compared to other groups. These reproductive hormones, testicular glycogen, and sperm parameters improved in the Daflon-treated groups. Hence, pre-treatment with flavonoid fractions of diosmin and hesperidin mitigated CPF-induced reproductive toxicity., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Pyriproxyfen (PPF) is an insecticide used in agriculture, which is approved for use in drinking water tanks for human consumption. However, some studies indicate that it may act as an endocrine disruptor and affect nontarget organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of PPF on reproduction and general health status in female mice exposed from pre-puberty to adulthood. In the first experiment, females were treated by gavage from postnatal day (PND) 23 to (PND) 75 and were distributed into three experimental groups: control (vehicle), PPF 0.1 mg/kg, and PPF 1 mg/kg. Female mice were assessed for the age of puberty onset, body mass, water and food consumption, and the estrous cycle. On PDN 75, a subgroup was euthanized, when vital and reproductive organs were collected and weighed. The thyroid, ovary, and uterus were evaluated for histomorphometry. The other subgroup was assessed in relation to reproductive performance and fetal parameters. In a second experiment, the uterotrophic assay was performed with juvenile females (PND 18) using doses of 0.01, 0.1, or 1 mg/kg of PPF. PPF treatment reduced thyroid mass and increased liver mass. Furthermore, there was an increase in ovarian interstitial tissue and, in the uterus, a decrease in the thickness of the endometrial stroma with reduced content of collagen fibers. There was also a reduction of 30% in pregnancy rate in the treated groups and an increase in the frequency of fetal death. This study suggests that, based on this experimental model, the insecticide may pose a reproductive risk for females chronically exposed to the substance from the pre-pubertal period until adulthood. These results raise concerns about prolonged exposure of women to the same compound., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

The neurotoxic effects of neonicotinoids (NEOs) have been widely reported in relation to the poisoning of wild birds, yet the underlying molecular mechanism has remained elusive. This study employed Japanese quails (Coturnix japonica) and primary quail embryonic neurons as in vivo and ex vivo models, respectively, to investigate the neurotoxic effects and mechanism of thiamethoxam (TMX), a representative neonicotinoid insecticide, at environmentally relevant concentrations. Following a 28-day exposure to TMX, metabolomic analysis of quail brain revealed TMX-induced changes in glutamatergic, GABA-ergic, and dopaminergic function. Subsequent ex vivo and in silico experimentation revealed that the activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and calcium signaling, induced by clothianidin (CLO), the primary metabolite of TMX, served as upstream events for the alterations in neurotransmitter synthesis, metabolism, release, and uptake. Our findings propose that the disruption of the central nervous system, caused by environmentally significant concentrations of NEOs, may account for the avian poisoning events induced by NEOs., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

In this study, the phytochemical profile and silver nanoparticle (AgNPs)-synthesizing ability of Pittosporum undulatum methanol extract were investigated. Furthermore, biological applications of the AgNPs, such as antibacterial effect (against Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli), mosquito larvicidal effect (against Anopheles stephensi, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Aedes aegypti), and cytotoxicity (against fibroblast cell line L929) were evaluated using in vitro experiments. The phytochemical analysis revealed that the methanol extract contained cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, coumarins, phenolics, and tannins. Furthermore, standard characterization techniques such as UV-Vis spectrometry, SEM, TEM, FTIR, and XRD confirmed that the methanol extract of P. undulatum effectively synthesized the AgNPs. The synthesized AgNPs had a spherical shape and size of 20-200 nm. The bactericidal analysis revealed that the AgNPs have dose-dependent antibacterial activity. The MTT assay showed that the AgNPs were bio-compatible up to a dosage of 250 μg mL -1 in the normal fibroblast cell line L929. Furthermore, the LC 50 values for AgNPs against larvae of An. stephensi, Cx. quinquefasciatus, and Ae. aegypti were 0.4, 4.7, and 1.2 ppm, respectively. Field trials demonstrated that the larvicidal effect was enhanced within 24-72 h, and the rate of reduction increased over time. Thus, our findings provide an ideal sustainable AgNP bio-pesticide to combat filarial, dengue, and malaria vectors., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Pyrethrin and pyrethroid are a relatively new class of pesticides with potent insecticidal properties. Pyrethrins are naturally occurring pesticides obtained from the Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium flower, while pyrethroids are their synthetic derivatives. They are widely used as the insecticides of choice in agriculture, veterinary medicine, public health programs, and household activities. Pyrethrin, being a broad-spectrum insecticide kills a wide range of pests, while pyrethroids last longer in the environment owing to low susceptibility to sunlight, and greater stability and efficacy than parent molecules. Humans can be exposed through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal routes. Indoor usage of an insecticide poses a serious risk to human health, especially to women, children, and stay-at-home people. Although pyrethrin and pyrethroid are generally considered safe, sustained skin or inhalation exposure or direct contact with open wounds results in higher toxicity to mammals. There is a paucity of data on the impact of pyrethrin and pyrethroid on overall pulmonary health. The respiratory system, from the nose, nasal passages, airways, and bronchi to the pulmonary alveoli, is vulnerable to environmental contaminants such as pesticides because of its anatomical location as well as being a highly blood profused organ. Under and over-functioning of the respiratory system triggers diverse pathologies such as serious infections, allergies, asthma, metastatic malignancies, and auto-immune conditions. While the association between workplace-related pesticide exposures and respiratory diseases and symptoms is well documented, it is important to understand the adverse health impact of pyrethrin and pyrethroid on the general population for awareness and also for better regulation and implementation of the law., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Plant protection products (PPPs), which are frequently used in agriculture, can be major stressors for honeybees. They have been found abundantly in the beehive, particularly in pollen. Few studies have analysed effects on honeybee larvae, and little is known about effects of insecticide-fungicide-mixtures, although this is a highly realistic exposure scenario. We asked whether the combination of a frequently used insecticide and fungicides would affect developing bees. Honeybee larvae (Apis mellifera carnica) were reared in vitro on larval diets containing different PPPs at two concentrations, derived from residues found in pollen. We used the neonicotinoid acetamiprid, the combined fungicides boscalid/dimoxystrobin and the mixture of all three substances. Mortality was assessed at larval, pupal, and adult stages, and the size and weight of newly emerged bees were measured. The insecticide treatment in higher concentrations significantly reduced larval and adult survival. Interestingly, survival was not affected by the high concentrated insecticide-fungicides-mixture. However, negative synergistic effects on adult survival were caused by the low concentrated insecticide-fungicides-mixture, which had no effect when applied alone. The lower concentrated combined fungicides led to significantly lighter adult bees, although the survival was unaffected. Our results suggest that environmental relevant concentrations can be harmful to honeybees. To fully understand the interaction of different PPPs, more combinations and concentrations should be studied in social and solitary bees with possibly different sensitivities., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of the prawn Palaemon argentinus to the pyrethroid cypermethrin (CYP) and the tetramic acid spirotetramat (STM). These treatments were compared with prawns collected at a reference site to define their basal physiological state. Initially, physicochemical parameters and several pollutants at the selected site were analyzed. The LC 50 -96 h was determined in adult prawns. Then, prawns were exposed for 96 h to sublethal concentrations of CYP (0.0005 μg/l) and STM (0.44 mg/l) to evaluate the effects on some biochemical endpoints. A treatment combining both pesticides was also added at 5 % of these values. Controls with and without solvent (acetone) were included. The LC 50 -96 h values were 0.005 μg/l and 4.43 mg/l for CYP and STM, respectively. Moreover, some biomarkers linked to oxidative and energy metabolism were analyzed in the hepatopancreas and muscle of both essayed prawns and those at the basal state. The STM caused a significant decrease in total protein content (32 %) in contrast to the increase of protein carbonyl content (71 %) (p < 0.05). Also, glutathione S-transferase (52 %) and catalase (61 %) activities in the hepatopancreas of exposed prawns were higher compared to both the control and state basal groups (p < 0.05). In muscle, only a significant decrease in the lactate content (69 %) was caused by STM (p < 0.05). In addition, CYP caused a significant increase in the lactate dehydrogenase activity (110 %) in muscle and triacylglycerol content (73 %) in the hepatopancreas (p < 0.05). The integrated biomarker index (IBRv2) analysis showed that STM caused greater damage than CYP. Besides, the combined treatment showed an antagonistic interaction between both insecticides. The differential response of biomarkers to both CYP and STM exposure with respect to their basal levels shows a high sensitivity of P. argentinus demonstrating its potential role as a bioindicator organism., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Chlorfenapyr is a novel broad-spectrum insecticide derived from natural pyrrole derivatives produced by Streptomyces spp. It acts as a pro-insecticide and is metabolically converted to the active metabolite, tralopyril. Chlorfenapyr poisoning is known for its delayed neurological symptoms and high mortality. Unfortunately, information on the toxicokinetics, metabolism and tissue distribution of chlorfenapyr and tralopyril is still lacking. In this study, the metabolic profile, toxicokinetics and tissue distribution of chlorfenapyr and tralopyril after oral administration at a toxic dose in mice were investigated. Twenty metabolites were identified in plasma, urine and feces, which were mainly formed by dealkylation, oxidative dechlorination and reductive dechlorination. Toxicokinetic results showed that chlorfenapyr was rapidly converted to tralopyril after administration, and the in vivo half-life (t 1/2 ), area under the curve (AUC) and peak concentration (C max ) values of tralopyril were significantly higher than those of chlorfenapyr (P < 0.05). Tissue distribution experiments confirmed that the metabolite tralopyril had a longer half-life, a lower clearance and a wide distribution in different organs and tissues compared to chlorfenapyr. It was also able to cross the blood-brain barrier, suggesting a potential association with brain lesions. In addition, a sensitive and rapid LC-MS/MS analytical method was established for the detection of chlorfenapyr and tralopyril. In conclusion, this study provided valuable metabolic, toxicokinetic and tissue distribution information, contributing to future risk assessment and forensic identification in cases of chlorfenapyr poisoning. We recommend considering the assessment of tralopyril levels, which may be of greater therapeutic importance in the management of chlorfenapyr poisoning., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Developmental exposure to carbamates, organophosphates, and pyrethroids has been associated with impaired neurodevelopmental outcomes. Sex-specific differences following chronic insecticide exposure are rather common in vivo. Therefore, we assessed the chronic effects of in vitro exposure to different carbamates (carbaryl, methomyl and aldicarb), organophosphates [chlorpyrifos (CPF), chlorpyrifos-oxon (CPO), and 3,5,6,trichloropyridinol (TCP)], and pyrethroids [permethrin, alpha-cypermethrin and 3-phenoxy benzoic acid (3-PBA)] on neuronal network development in sex-separated rat primary cortical cultures using micro-electrode array (MEA) recordings. Our results indicate that exposure for 1 week to carbaryl inhibited neurodevelopment in male cultures, while a hyperexcitation was observed in female cultures. Methomyl and aldicarb evoked a hyperexcitation after 2 weeks of exposure, which was more pronounced in female cultures. In contrast to acute MEA results, exposure to ≥ 10 µM CPF caused hyperexcitation in both sexes after 10 days. Interestingly, exposure to 10 µM CPO induced a clear hyperexcitation after 10 days of exposure in male but not female cultures. Exposure to 100 µM CPO strongly inhibited neuronal development. Exposure to the type I pyrethroid permethrin resulted in a hyperexcitation at 10 µM and a decrease in neuronal development at 100 µM. In comparison, exposure to ≥ 10 µM of the type II pyrethroid alpha-cypermethrin decreased neuronal development. In female but not in male cultures, exposure to 1 and 10 µM permethrin changed (network) burst patterns, with female cultures having shorter (network) bursts with fewer spikes per (network) burst. Together, these results show that MEA recordings are suitable for measuring sex-specific developmental neurotoxicity in vitro. Additionally, pyrethroid exposure induced effects on neuronal network development at human-relevant concentrations. Finally, chronic exposure has different effects on neuronal functioning compared to acute exposure, highlighting the value of both exposure paradigms., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

TMEM16A, a member of the Transmembrane protein 16 family, serves as the molecular basis for calcium activated chloride channels (CaCCs). We use RT-PCR to demonstrate the expression of TMEM16A in the neurons of Helicoverpa armigera, and record the CaCCs current of acute isolated neurons of H. armigera for the first time using patch clamp technology. In order to screen effective inhibitors of calcium-activated chloride channels, the inhibitory effects of four chloride channel inhibitors, CaCCinh-A01, NPPB, DIDS, and SITS, on CaCCs were compared. The inhibitory effects of the four inhibitors on the outward current of CaCCs were CaCCinh-A01 (10 μM, 56.31 %), NPPB (200 μM, 43.69 %), SITS (1 mM, 12.41 %) and DIDS (1 mM, 13.29 %). Among these inhibitors, CaCCinh-A01 demonstrated the highest efficacy as a blocker. To further explore whether calcium channel proteins can serve as potential targets of pyrethroids, we compared the effects of (type I) tefluthrin and (type II) deltamethrin on CaCCs. 10 μM and 100 μM tefluthrin can stimulate a large tail current in CaCCs, prolonging their deactivation time by 10.44 ms and 31.49 ms, and the V 0.5 shifted in the hyperpolarization by 2-8 mV. Then, deltamethrin had no obvious effect on the deactivation and activation of CaCCs. Therefore, CaCCs of H. armigera can be used as a potential target of pyrethroids, but type I and type II pyrethroids have different effects on CaCCs., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

The indiscriminate use of pesticides is one of the factors directly impacting bee populations. However, limited information is available on the pesticide effects on solitary bees, especially in Neotropical countries. In this scenario, this study evaluated the survival and histopathological effects caused by the neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid (7 ng/μL) and the fungicide azoxystrobin (10 ng/μL) in the midgut and parietal fat body of the solitary bee Centris analis. Female and male newly-emerged bees were orally exposed for 48 h to the pesticides, or alone or in combination, under laboratory conditions. The exposure to the insecticide reduced the survival of males, while the mixture reduced survival in both sexes. Acetamiprid promoted a reduction in the number of regenerative nests in the midgut, alterations of fat body cells by increasing carbohydrates in trophocytes, and reduction of oenocyte size, and increased the frequency of pericardial cells in the advanced activity stage. Both pesticides caused changes in HSP70 immunolabelling of midgut from males at the end of pesticide exposure. Comparatively, the effects on males were stronger than in females exposed to the same pesticides. Therefore, acetamiprid alone and in mixture with fungicide azoxystrobin can be harmful to males and females of Neotropical solitary bee C. analis showing lethal and sublethal effects at a concentration likely to be found in the environment., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Dimefluthrin (DIM) is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide commonly used for the control of pests, particularly for mosquitoes and other flying insects. However, the effects of DIM on non-target aquatic organisms are not known. In this study, we evaluated the long-term effects of DIM on juvenile Acrossocheilus fasciatus (a species of teleost fish) by exposing them to two different concentrations (0.8 μg/L and 4 μg/L) for 60 days. After 60 d of exposure, DIM induced a significant decrease in body weight and irregular, diffused villi in the intestines of A. fasciatus, accompanied by alterations in the expression of immune-related genes. Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis revealed that among the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), all downregulated genes were enriched in processes such as small molecule/cellular amino acid metabolism, generation of precursor metabolites and energy, and phosphatase activity. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis revealed that the downregulated genes were associated with processes such as cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, chemokine signaling pathway, JAK-STAT signaling pathway, intestinal immune network for IgA production, natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and antigen processing and presentation. In contrast, upregulated DEGs were linked to processes such as necroptosis, phototransduction, and Hippo signaling pathway. These results demonstrate the potential toxicity of DIM to non-target aquatic organisms, indicating the broader ecological implications of its use., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Declines in pollinator health are frequently hypothesized to be the combined result of multiple interacting biotic and abiotic stressors; namely, nutritional limitations, pesticide exposure, and infection with pathogens and parasites. Despite this hypothesis, most studies examining stressor interactions have been constrained to two concurrent factors, limiting our understanding of multi-stressor dynamics. Using honey bees as a model, we addressed this gap by studying how variable diet, field-realistic levels of multiple pesticides, and virus infection interact to affect survival, infection intensity, and immune and detoxification gene expression. Although we found evidence that agrochemical exposure (a field-derived mixture of chlorpyrifos and two fungicides) can exacerbate infection and increase virus-induced mortality, this result was nutritionally-dependent, only occurring when bees were provided artificial pollen. Provisioning with naturally-collected polyfloral pollen inverted the effect, reducing virus-induced mortality and suggesting a hormetic response. To test if the response was pesticide specific, we repeated our experiment with a pyrethroid (lambda-cyhalothrin) and a neonicotinoid (thiamethoxam), finding variable results. Finally, to understand the underpinnings of these effects, we measured viral load and expression of important immune and detoxification genes. Together, our results show that multi-stressor interactions are complex and highly context-dependent, but have great potential to affect bee health and physiology., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Adam G. Dolezal reports financial support was provided by Foundation for the Food and Agriculture Research. Edward M. Hsieh reports financial support was provided by North American Pollinator Protection Campaign. If there are other authors, they declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Precise, effective and green control plays an essential role in reducing environmental and ecosystem damage. Seed treatment has proven effective and long-lasting for target organisms, and exploring the reasons for long-term protection is important for sustainable agricultural development. This study examined the uptake and metabolism behaviour of thiamethoxam under seed treatment in wheat samples throughout the whole growth cycle, as well as the associated synergistic effects of thiamethoxam and its metabolites during the most severe period of aphid occurrence. Uptake and metabolism results showed that 41 % of thiamethoxam and its active metabolites (clothianidin and demethyl-clothianidin) accumulated mainly in flag leaves of wheat, severely harming aphids, which was significant in controlling leaf-feeding pests. Combined activity results showed that thiamethoxam, clothianidin and demethyl-clothianidin produced synergistic efficacy in controlling aphids, with cotoxicity coefficients ranging from 179.34 to 452.07. Compared with the control, thiamethoxam seed treatments at a rate of 1.5 a.i. g/kg seeds and 3.0 a.i. g/kg seeds can significantly enhance salicylic acid (55 % and 41 %) and jasmonic acid (168 % and 125 %) concentrations and invoke changes in the concentrations of plant secondary substances, which promoted wheat resistance to aphids. Future studies cannot ignore the synergistic effects of metabolites and plant secondary substances in pest control. These results provided data support for reducing pesticide use, increasing efficiency and making more rational use of neonicotinoid insecticides., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

The frequency of detection and concentrations of bifenthrin, a pyrethroid insecticide, in the waterways inhabited by the endangered species, steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), has become a significant concern for regulatory agencies. Endocrine disruption has been observed with estrogenic and anti-estrogenic responses in fish species at different life stages. Since several studies have indicated alterations in dopaminergic signaling associated with endocrine responses, juvenile steelhead were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of 60 or 120 ng/L bifenthrin for two weeks. Fish brains were assessed for dopamine levels and the expression of genes involved in dopaminergic and estrogenic processes, such as catechol-o-methyltransferase (comt) and monoamine oxidase (mao). Vitellogenin (vtg) and estrogenic receptors (ERα1, ERβ1, and ERβ2) were also evaluated in livers of the animals. Dopamine concentrations were significantly higher in fish brains following bifenthrin exposure. Consistent with a reduction in dopamine clearance, there was a significant decrease in the mRNA expression of comt with increased bifenthrin concentration. Hepatic expression of ERα1 and ERβ2 mRNA was significantly decreased with increased bifenthrin concentration. These data support the possible mechanism of bifenthrin altering the dopaminergic pathway at low ng/L concentrations, in juvenile steelhead, which could interfere with endocrine feedback loops. These findings support the need for and importance of identifying species and life stage differences in pesticide modes of action to reduce uncertainties in risk assessments., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no competing financial interest or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)