Volume: 5, 2026
5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: E009
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.E009
Published online: 22 April 2026
Flupyradifuron, a new-generation pesticide, versus honeybees
Anna Gryboś*, Patrycja Staniszewska and Aneta Strachecka*
SKN Experimental Biology, Department of Invertebrate Ecophysiology and Experimental Biology, Faculty of Environmental Biology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 13 Akademicka St., 20-950 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: patrycja.staniszewska@up.edu.pl, aneta.strachecka@up.edu.pl
Since the second half of the 19th century, a decline in pollinator populations has been observed in Poland and worldwide, mainly due to the intensive use of pesticides in agriculture. In response, a new generation of pesticides has been developed, including flupyradifuron, which acts similarly to neonicotinoids and causes neurological disorders in insects. Research on its effects on the honeybee (Apis mellifera) is incomplete, particularly regarding immune responses. The aim of this study was to determine changes in the activity of proteases and their inhibitors in the hemolymph of worker bees following exposure to flupyradifuron – these data may support legal proceedings in cases of pesticide poisoning.
In in vitro cage tests, one-day-old worker bees (40 cages of 50 bees each) were divided into 3 groups (P1: <recommended concentration; P2: recommended; P3: >recommended) and a control group. Exposure to the pesticide lasted 24 hours. Hemolymph was collected on days 1, 7, 14, and 21; total protein, protease activity (acidic, neutral, alkaline), and inhibitor activity were measured. The highest activity of neutral and alkaline proteases was observed on day 21; inhibitor activity was lower than in the control. The greatest decreases in activity occurred between days 1 and 7. A single day of exposure caused a proteolytic imbalance in the hemolymph, threatening the health of the bees.
Keywords: humoral immunity; plant protection products proteases; protease inhibitors
How to cite
Gryboś A., Staniszewska P., Strachecka A., 2026. Flupyradifuron, a new-generation pesticide, versus honeybees. In: 5th International PhD Students’ Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL5.E009