Larvae of stingless bee Scaptotrigona bipunctata exposed to organophosphorus pesticide develop into lighter, smaller and deformed adult workers

Organophosphorus pesticides such as chlorpyrifos are often used in agriculture due to their broad spectrum of action. However, this insecticide and acaricide is considered highly toxic the environment can cause toxicity nontarget insects bees. In addition adult individuals, immature also be exposed residues by larval food. Thus, we investigated effects concentrations on development stingless bee Scaptotrigona bipunctata workers reared vitro. We evaluated four different biomarkers: a) survival, b) time, c) body mass d) morphological characteristics (head width, intertegular distance, wing area proportion deformed bees). The exposure larvae doses significantly reduced survival probability but did not changes time. Regarding morphometric analysis, bees showed a reduction size, 28% emerged adults deformations. Therefore, work shows that S. sublethal likely have chances survival. if they emerge, will lighter, smaller less able than equivalent workers. These impaired attributes potential compromise future workforce colonies pesticide.