Butenolide Insecticide Flupyradifurone Affects Honey Bee Worker Antiviral Immunity and Survival

Honey bees face many environmental stressors, including exposure to pesticides and pathogens. A novel butenolide pesticide, flupyradifurone, was recently introduced the US shown have a bee-friendly toxicity profile. Like much-scrutinized neonicotinoids that preceded it, flupyradifurone targets insect nervous system. Some been interfere with antiviral immunity, which raised concern similar effects may be observed flupyradifurone. In this study, we investigated how neonicotinoid, clothianidin, affect ability of honey bee workers combat an infection Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV). We exposed field-realistic doses either or without co-exposure virus, then tracked survival changes in viral titers. repeated experiment spring fall look for any seasonal effects. found caused elevated mortality fall, but it did not lead increased virus-induced mortality. Flupyradifurone also appeared clearance, as co-exposed pesticide tended higher titers after 48 hours than those alone. Clothianidin had no effect on titers, actually increase resistance bees.