title: Novel biopesticide based on a spider venom peptide shows no adverse effects on honeybees.
abstract: Evidence is accumulating that commonly used pesticides are linked to decline of pollinator populations; adverse effects of three neonicotinoids on bees have led to bans on their use across the European Union. Developing insecticides that pose negligible risks to beneficial organisms such as honeybees is desirable and timely. One strategy is to use recombinant fusion proteins containing neuroactive peptides/proteins linked to a 'carrier' protein that confers oral toxicity. Hv1a/GNA (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin), containing an insect-specific spider venom calcium channel blocker (ω-hexatoxin-Hv1a) linked to snowdrop lectin (GNA) as a 'carrier', is an effective oral biopesticide towards various insect pests. Effects of Hv1a/GNA towards a non-target species, Apis mellifera, were assessed through a thorough early-tier risk assessment. Following feeding, honeybees internalized Hv1a/GNA, which reached the brain within 1 h after exposure. However, survival was only slightly affected by ingestion (LD50>100 µg bee(-1)) or injection of fusion protein. Bees fed acute (100 µg bee(-1)) or chronic (0.35 mg ml(-1)) doses of Hv1a/GNA and trained in an olfactory learning task had similar rates of learning and memory to no-pesticide controls. Larvae were unaffected, being able to degrade Hv1a/GNA. These tests suggest that Hv1a/GNA is unlikely to cause detrimental effects on honeybees, indicating that atracotoxins targeting calcium channels are potential alternatives to conventional pesticides.
authors.affiliation: School of Biology, Newcastle Institute for Research and Sustainability, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK Capes Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Caixa Postal 250, Brasília 70040-020, Brazil.
authors.forename: Erich Y T
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Nakasu
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK.
authors.forename: Sally M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Williamson
authors.affiliation: School of Biology, Newcastle Institute for Research and Sustainability, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK.
authors.forename: Martin G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.affiliation: The Food and Environment Research Agency, Sand Hutton, York YO41 1LZ, UK.
authors.forename: Elaine C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Fitches
authors.affiliation: School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Durham University, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK.
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gatehouse
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK.
authors.forename: Geraldine A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.affiliation: School of Biology, Newcastle Institute for Research and Sustainability, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK a.m.r.gatehouse@ncl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Angharad M R
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Gatehouse
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D027801:Galanthus / Q000737:chemistry; D007306:Insecticides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects; D007858:Learning / Q000187:drug effects; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D037121:Plant Lectins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity; D013111:Spider Venoms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers; D007306:Insecticides; D037241:Mannose-Binding Lectins; D037121:Plant Lectins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D013111:Spider Venoms; C063117:snowdrop lectin
keywords: biopesticide; honeybees; insecticidal fusion proteins; pollinator decline; snowdrop lectin (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin); ω-hexatoxin-Hv1a