Abstract

Overview

The honey bee, a critical species with significant environmental and economic contributions, faces various challenges while foraging, such as exposure to detrimental physical and chemical elements. Recent technological advancements have introduced additional environmental stressors, notably electromagnetic fields (EMFs).

Objective

The study aimed to investigate the influence of EMFs, specifically at the frequency of 50Hz, on the antioxidant enzyme functions within honey bees under controlled laboratory conditions.

Methodology

Using one-day and seven-day-old honey bee workers, researchers exposed the insects to EMFs with intensities between 1-10 kV/m. Post-exposure, hemolymph was collected for biochemical analysis.

Findings

While the study did not conclusively determine the effects of exposure duration or field intensity on the biochemical markers, it revealed noticeable physiological differences between bees of varying ages post-exposure.

Conclusion

This research highlights the potential risks and impacts of electromagnetic fields on honey bee health, emphasizing the need for further studies to better understand EMF exposure effects on vital pollinators in varying environmental conditions.