Free Access
| Issue |
Apidologie
Volume 31, Number 1, January-Febuary 2000
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Page(s) | 25 - 38 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:2000104 | |
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), CBLU, University of Leeds
* revised and updated by: Marcus Hennecke, Ross Moore, Herb Swan
* with significant contributions from:
Jens Lippmann, Marek Rouchal, Martin Wilck and others -->
DOI: 10.1051/apido:2000104
Apidologie 31 (2000) 25-38
Effects of four protease inhibitors on the survival of worker bumblebees, Bombus terrestris L.
Louise Anne Malone, Elisabeth Phyllis June Burgess, Dragana Stefanovic,
Heather Sian Gatehouse
Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd, Mt Albert Research Centre, Private Bag 92 169, Auckland, New Zealand
(Received 28 May 1998; revised 18 August 1999; accepted 26 August 1999)
Abstract:
To assess risks posed by transgenic pest-resistant plants, a bumblebee bioassay system was
developed. Small and large adults of Bombus terrestris were held individually or in
groups of 5, 10 or 20 in cages and survival and rates of pollen, sugar and water consumption
determined. Effects on bee survival of Kunitz soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI), bovine
pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI) and two potato protease inhibitors, POT-1 and POT-2, were
determined. SBTI (10 mg.g-1) and POT-1 (10 and 5 mg.g-1) reduced survival
significantly. Bees fed POT-2 (10 mg.g-1) had poorer survival than those fed 0.1 or 0.01
mg.g-1 POT-2. BPTI had no effect. Untreated bee midguts had elastase-like (283.0 
16.9
nmol.min-1.g-1 gut), chymotrypsin (148.5
8.4), trypsin (27.2
2.8) and
leucine aminopeptidase (258.6
9.6) activities. Elastase-like and chymotrypsin
activities were inhibited by SBTI, POT-1 and POT-2, but not BPTI. Trypsin activity was
reduced by each inhibitor. Leucine aminopeptidase activity was unaffected.
16.9
nmol.min-1.g-1 gut), chymotrypsin (148.5
8.4), trypsin (27.2
2.8) and
leucine aminopeptidase (258.6
9.6) activities. Elastase-like and chymotrypsin
activities were inhibited by SBTI, POT-1 and POT-2, but not BPTI. Trypsin activity was
reduced by each inhibitor. Leucine aminopeptidase activity was unaffected.
bumblebee / protease inhibitor / food consumption / small-cage bioassay / pest-resistant transgenic plant
Correspondence and reprints: Louise Anne Malone
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