Imidacloprid markedly affects hemolymph proteolysis, biomarkers, DNA global methylation, and the cuticle proteolytic layer in western honeybees

Imidacloprid (IMD) may affect proteolysis, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and global DNA methylation in honeybees. Queens, drones, and workers aged 1 or 20 days were exposed (free-flying colonies) to IMD (5 ppb and 200 ppb) in their diet. As a result, the colony depopulation did not occurred. IMD disturbed hemolymph/cuticle proteolysis; deactivated most of the cuticle protease...