Bioinsecticides on honey bees: Exposure, sublethal effects, and risk assessment paradigms
Federico Cappa, David Baracchi
Abstract
As synthetic pesticides contribute to the global decline of pollinators, biopesticides have gained attention as more sustainable pest management alternatives in agriculture. Despite their perceived safety, there is increasing evidence that bioinsecticides can harm honey bees, which are crucial pollinators of many commercial crops and key ecotoxicological models. This short review aims to summarize key studies on exposure pathways and sublethal effects of bioinsecticides on honey bees, highlighting outdated risk assessment paradigms and critical evaluation issues. We discuss the need for novel approaches, such as molecular techniques and AI technologies, to better understand and mitigate the effects of bioinsecticides on honey bees. We also highlight the importance of long-term field studies and ethical considerations in ecotoxicology to protect honey bees and promote sustainable agricultural practices.