Sublethal effects of the formamidine amitraz on honeybees gut lipids, following in vivo injections.

The time-course and dose-related action of amitraz (AMZ) on gut lipids of worker honeybees were examined over 3 hours following in vivo injections of 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 nmols of pesticide per bee. Significant decreases were observed at 30-45 min with 0.25 nmols per bee, for phospholipids, fatty acids, steroids and triacylglycerols. However increases were observed either later or with higher doses. The decreasing action observed with 0.25 nmol AMZ per bee was inhibited by simultaneous injections of the alpha antagonist phentolamine (from 0.25 to 2.0 nmols per bee). The toxicity of AMZ to honeybees thus likely involves the mobilization of lipids from the gut, via action of this formamidine pesticide on alpha-adrenoceptors.