These findings provide a novel explanation for previously described effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on navigation and link these effects to sulfoxaflor for which there is a gap in scientific knowledge. We propose that exposure to cholinergic insecticides disrupts the honeybee’s ability to accurately encode wide-field visual motion, resulting in impaired optomotor behaviors.
Exposure to sulfoxaflor led to sparse increases in neuronal apoptosis, localized primarily in the optic lobes, however there was no effect of imidacloprid. This behavioral effect correlates with altered stress and detoxification gene expression in the brain. Here, we show that sublethal exposure to two commonly used insecticides, imidacloprid (a neonicotinoid) and sulfoxaflor, results in impaired optomotor behavior in the honeybee. Neonicotinoid insecticides disrupt visual motion detection in the locust, resulting in impaired escape behaviors, but it had not previously been shown whether seed treatment insecticides disrupt wide-field motion detection in the honeybee. These effects include deficits in flight navigation and homing ability, and decreased survival of exposed worker bees. Seed treatment insecticides, including neonicotinoids and novel insecticides like sulfoxaflor, display detrimental effects on wild and managed bees, even when present at sublethal quantities. Honeybees use wide-field visual motion information to calculate the distance they have flown from the hive, and this information is communicated to conspecifics during the waggle dance. 4Institute of Neuronal Cell Biology, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany.3Department of Biology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada.2Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.1Grass Laboratory, Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, United States.Parkinson 1,2,3*†, Caroline Fecher 1,4† and John R. Synergy had a large and very appreciative audience and received a standing ovation at the finale.Rachel H. The place was a much cooler and a truly beautiful setting. The final performance was back at the Schoenbrunn Palace again but this time inside the Orangerie. In the heat of the day, Synergy on a large roll out floor with cobblestones underneath. The second performance took place in front of the staircase of the famous Schoenbrunn Palace. The first performance was in a hotel with a stage ceiling so low that Miss Vivienne's instructions to jump higher had to be abandoned! In July 2010 in temperatures topping 39 degrees Synergy partnered with the Warwickshire County Youth Orchestra and Panissimo (a Steel Pan group) performing in 3 concerts in Vienna, Austria. Thanks to all those who supported the fund-raising to help them on their way. Synergy toured Amsterdam in July 2014 with Spires youth orchestra. Synergy Youth won first place in the intermediate troupes and Synergy second place in the senior troupes at the festival. Well done to our girls who competed at the Desford Festival in October. They will also be performing at Birmingham Rep on Sunday 15th March in Future Starz. They are performing at Twirling Toddlers show "Let's Wiggle" on Sunday 25th January at the Albany Theatre Coventry. Often dance styles will be 'fused' together to provide innovative and stunning original performances. Synergy performs a wide variety of dance styles such as Contemporary, Jazz, Tap, Ballet and Street. Membership is by invitation only and requires a whole-hearted commitment to extra training sessions. Synergy and Synergy Youth are our performance groups.