THE INSECTICIDE FIPRONIL ALTERS GENE EXPRESSION IN AFRICANIZED HONEY BEES

The study investigated the effects of contamination by Fipronil, a neurotoxic insecticide, on Apis mellifera bees. Two forms of contamination were tested: ingestion and topical exposure. Analysis of brain tissue revealed that Fipronil affected various metabolic pathways, cellular regulation, and immune response. In bees contaminated through ingestion, there was a reduction in the expression of genes related to development, cellular adhesion, and metabolism, while detoxification genes were upregulated. Bees contaminated topically showed alterations in genes associated with immune response and xenobiotic metabolism.