Unsaturated fats boost honey bees' pesticide survival to 90%, study finds
GS3Economy · S&T · Environment · Security· Biotechnology & health research· Prelims·
Why in news
A Penn State study revealed that polyunsaturated fatty acids significantly enhance honey bee survival rates against pesticides, offering a potential strategy for pollinator conservation.
Background
The study, published in the Journal of Insect Physiology, showed a 90% survival rate for bees on polyunsaturated fatty acid diets versus less than 50% for those on saturated/monounsaturated diets. The mechanism involves maintained lipid reserves and higher acetylcholinesterase activity under stress.
Facts for Prelims
- S&TPolyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are linked to increased pesticide resilience in honey bees.
- FactSurvival rate of bees on unsaturated-fat diets reached 90% in the study.
- S&TAcetylcholinesterase activity is a key metabolic indicator for pesticide stress in insects.
For Mains
Q. Discuss the significance of pollinator health in ensuring food security and suggest measures to mitigate the impact of pesticide use on biodiversity.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- impact on agricultural yields
- biodiversity loss
- integrated pest management (IPM) strategies
Keywords: pollinator conservation · metabolic resilience · pesticide mitigation · biodiversity
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