Just like us, many insects need a good night’s sleep to function properly, but this may not be possible if they have been exposed to neonicotinoid insecticides, the most commonly used type of insecticide. world, recommends research by scholars at Bristol University.
Two studies by scientists at Bristol’s Schools of Biology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience and Biological Sciences have shown that these insecticides affect the amount of sleep that both bees provide. and fruit flies, which may help us understand why insect pollination is disappearing from the desert.
Dr Kiah Tasman, Teaching Associate in the School of Psychology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience and lead author of the studies, said: “The neonicotinoids we tested had a significant effect on the amount of sleep taken by both flies and If a beast was as open as it could be on a farm where the insect was introduced, it did not sleep less, and its daily rhythms of behavior were disrupted. -out of synchronization with the normal 24-hour cycle day and night. “
The fruit fly study published today [21 January] into Scientific Reports, let the researchers study the effects of toxins on the brains of insects.
In addition to discovering that normal agricultural concentrations of neonicotinoids impair the flies’ ability to remember, the researchers also observed changes in the clock’s brain that control flies. on the 24-hour cycle day and night.
Dr James Hodge, Associate Professor of Neo-Science in the School of Psychology, Pharmacology and Neo-Science and senior author for the study, said: “Being able to tell time is important for knowing when you were awake and supplying, and it looked like these drug-like insecticides could not sleep. We know that quality sleep is important for insects, just as it is for humans, for their health and to create lasting memories. ”
Dr Sean Rands, Senior Lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences and co-author, explained: “Bees and flies have similar structures, which suggests one reason why these drugs are so bad for bees that they stop the bees from sleeping properly and then be able to learn where food is in their environment.
“Neonicotinoids are currently banned in the EU, and we hope this will continue in the UK as we leave EU legislation.”
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Papers
‘Neonicotinoids disturb memory, circadian behavior and sleep’ by Tasman K, Hidalgo S, Zhu B, Rands SA & Hodge JJL included Scientific Reports
The neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid disturbs bumblebee circadian rhythms and sleep ‘by Tasman K, SA Rands & Hodge JJL iScience [open access]
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