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Concentration‐dependent effects of acute and chronic neonicotinoid exposure on the behaviour and development of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans
Author(s) -
Kudelska Monika M,
HoldenDye Lindy,
O'Connor Vincent,
Doyle Declan A
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
pest management science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.296
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1526-4998
pISSN - 1526-498X
DOI - 10.1002/ps.4564
Subject(s) - neonicotinoid , clothianidin , thiacloprid , biology , caenorhabditis elegans , imidacloprid , pesticide , toxicology , insect , thiamethoxam , ecology , genetics , gene
BACKGROUND Neonicotinoid insecticides are under review owing to emerging toxicity to non‐target species. Interest has focused on biological pollinators while their effects on other organisms that are key contributors to the ecosystem remain largely unknown. To advance this, we have tested the effects of representatives of three major classes of neonicotinoids, thiacloprid, clothianidin and nitenpyram, on the free‐living nematode Caenorhabditis elegans ( C. elegans ), as a representative of the Nematoda, an ecologically important phylum contributing to biomass. RESULTS Concentrations that are several‐fold higher than those with effects against target species had limited impact on locomotor function. However, increased potency was observed in a mutant with a hyperpermeable cuticle, which shows that drug access limits the effects of the neonicotinoids in C. elegans . Thiacloprid was most potent ( EC 50 714 μ m ). In addition, it selectively delayed larval development in wild‐type worms at 1 m m . CONCLUSION C. elegans is less susceptible to neonicotinoids than target species of pest insect. We discuss an approach in which this defined low sensitivity may be exploited by heterologous expression of insect nicotinic acetylcholine receptors from both pest and beneficial insects in transgenic C. elegans with increased cuticle permeability to provide a whole organism assay for species‐dependent neonicotinoid effects. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry