Common pesticides keep bees and flies from getting a good night’s sleep

Just like us, many insects need a good night’s sleep to function properly, but this might not be possible if they have been exposed to neonicotinoid insecticides, the most commonly used form of insecticide in the world. suggests research conducted by academics at the University of Bristol.

Two studies by scientists from the Bristol Schools of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience and Biological Sciences showed that these insecticides affect the amount of sleep absorbed by both bumblebees and fruit flies, which may help us understand why pollinating insects are disappearing from nature.

Dr Kiah Tasman, associate professor in the School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience and lead author of the studies, said: “The neonicotinoids we tested had a significant effect on the amount of sleep taken by flies and the bees. If an insect was exposed to an amount similar to what it might experience on a farm where the pesticide had been applied, it would sleep less and its daily behavioral rhythms were out of sync with the normal 24-hour day-to-night cycle. “

The fruit fly study published today in Scientific reports, allowed researchers to study the impact of pesticides on the brains of insects.

In addition to finding that typical agricultural concentrations of neonicotinoids ruined the flies’ ability to memorize, the researchers also found changes in the fly’s brain clock which controls its 24-hour cycle day and night.

Dr James Hodge, associate professor of neuroscience in the School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience and lead author of the study, added: “Being able to tell the time is important for knowing when to be awake and when to eat, and it looked like those drug addicts. the bugs couldn’t sleep. We know that good quality sleep is important for insects, just like for humans, for their health and the formation of lasting memories. “

Dr Sean Rands, senior lecturer at the School of Biological Sciences and co-author, explained: “Bees and flies have similar structures in their brains, which suggests that one of the reasons why these drugs are so bad for bees is that they prevent bees from sleeping properly and being able to learn where food is in its environment.

“Neonicotinoids are currently banned in the EU, and we hope this will continue in the UK as we leave EU legislation.”