EVALUATION OF EFFECT OF PESTICIDES ON AMYLASE ACTIVITY IN WORKER BEES OF APIS MELLIFERA L.
Sushil Kumar and Himshikha Yadav
Abstract
The effect of sub lethal concentrations of four pesticides (dimethoate – 30 EC, methyl parathion – 50 EC, malathion – 50 EC and neem oil – 25 EC) on the activity of digestive enzyme Amylase in worker bees of Apis mellifera L of different age was studied. The data obtained from treated groups of worker bees revealed that all the pesticides reduced the activity of Amylase in all age groups but maximum reduction was found in foragers (25 days old worker bees). The results suggested that organophosphates (methyl parathion, malathion and dimethoate) had great inhibitory action on amylase activity. Neem oil a biopestcide, showed insignificant inhibitory effect. The order of inhibitory effect of different pesticides on Amylase activity was found as follows -
Methyl parathion > Malathion > Dimethoate > Neem oil
Keywords: Pesticides, Amylase, Apis mellifera, Organophosphates, Neem oil