Journal of science innovations and nature of Earth
2021, Vol. 1 Issue 2, Part June
Honey Bees as Bio-monitors of Environmental Contaminants and Climate Changes
Author(s):
Surbhi Mittal, Archna and Bhupesh Gupta*
Department of Zoology, Kisan P.G. College, Simbhoali, Hapur, U.P.
IIMT University, Meerut *
Corresponding author's email: surbhikpg@gmail.com
Abstract:
Insect diversity and abundance are currently on the decline throughout the world. It's a combination of many factors that's causing this decline. Aside from natural causes, habitat loss, and climate change, pollution is a major factor. It is critical to keep an eye out for pollutants, pesticides, and pathogens in the environment if we are to protect the health of our people, agriculture, and the ecosystem as a whole. To keep an eye on the environment, scientists have employed a variety of methods, ranging from simple physical sensors to complex networks of sentinels. So far, attention has been focused on the effects of pesticide exposure on social insects rather than heavy metals or fine particulate matter. Non-target effects of pesticides and insecticides on honeybees and wild bees have been studied as a means of conserving these important pollinators. Pesticides in beeswax and honey have also garnered a lot of attention in recent years. These bee products can be used for environmental biomonitoring because they can carry pollutants to human consumers. There are a number of important characteristics of the bee that make it an excellent biological indicator. Beekeeping provides an unlimited supply of these characteristics. If the bee dies in large numbers, it's a sign of toxic molecules in the environment, but it can also be a sign of non-toxic chemicals like heavy metals and fungicide residues in honey and pollen or larvae. A. mellifera is an ideal biomonitoring species because of these characteristics, in addition to its worldwide distribution and widespread human management.