Trajectories of resting energy expenditure and performance of predictive equations in children hospitalized with an acute illness and malnutrition: a longitudinal study

Journal article

Neonicotinoid pesticides are used worldwide due to their effectiveness in protecting crops from pests like aphids, thrips, moths, flies, and beetles. These insecticides are applied on surfaces or absorbed systemically by plants, where insects encounter them through contact or ingestion. While beneficial for agriculture, they also negatively impact nontarget species. Numerous studies have reported the inhibitory effects of sublethal exposure to neonicotinoid-based insecticides on nontarget insects, especially pollinators such as bees, flies, and beetles. While research has demonstrated the toxicity of neonicotinoids, most studies have focused on low-energy activities such as walking or resting. In this research, I examined the respiratory responses of the Common Flesh Fly, Sarcophaga bullata, to sublethal levels of imidacloprid during low- and high- energy activity. To do this, I developed a method that allows for repeated measurement of the respiratory responses in individual flies at rest and high activity levels. Results revealed a significant difference in respiratory quotient (RQ), based on relative CO2 production and O2 consumption, between control (non-treated) and imidacloprid-treated flies during high-energy activity, a difference not observed during low-energy activity. I also observed that moderate levels of imidacloprid (50 ppb) impaired fly behavior and mobility. Several flies treated with 50 ppb displayed an inability to walk properly and lost the ability to right themselves after flipping over. Food consumption rates also decreased, suggesting possible behavioral resistance. These findings indicate that field-relevant levels of imidacloprid impair S. bullata respiration and behavior. Future studies should consider utilizing methods developed in this study to further enhance our understanding of chemical and environmental stressors on insect pollinators

Authors: Afroze, F; Khoshnevisan, F; Harawa, PP; Islam, Z; Bourdon, C

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Nature Research
• Journal: Scientific Reports
• Volume: 14
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 3613-3613
• Article number: 3613
• Publication date: 2024-02-13
• DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53791-w
• EISSN: 2045-2322
• ISSN: 2045-2322
• Language: English
• Keywords: Energy expenditure; Cohort; Internal medicine; Pediatrics; Prospective cohort study; Cohort study; Resting energy expenditure; Medicine; Severe Acute Malnutrition; Malnutrition; Wasting