Chen_2025_Insects_16_

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of Spinetoram (SPI) on the midgut of Apis cerana cerana Fabricius pupae, emphasizing detoxifying enzyme activity, gene expression, and morphological alterations. Pupae were subjected to SPI at LC(20) and LC(50) concentrations, and the midgut was evaluated using morphological assessment, detoxifying enzyme assays, and transcriptome analysis utilizing gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment. Transcriptome analysis revealed 32 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were common to both the LC(20) vs. control (CK) and LC(50) vs. CK comparisons, along with 24 DEGs unique to the LC(20) vs. CK comparison and 76 DEGs unique to the LC(50) vs. CK comparison. KEGG pathway analysis indicated the substantial enrichment of pathways associated with drug metabolism, xenobiotic metabolism, and amino acid metabolism, implying disruptions in detoxification mechanisms and broader metabolic imbalances resulting from SPI exposure. Morphological analysis showed a normal midgut structure in the control group, while significant damage was observed in the LC(20) group, and severe degeneration was observed in the LC(50) group. Detoxification enzyme assays revealed that the activities of cytochrome P450, glutathione S-transferase, and carboxylesterase significantly increased at LC(20) (p < 0.05), indicating an initial induction of detoxification responses; however, they declined at LC(50), suggesting enzyme inhibition or midgut damage. The activity of acetylcholinesterase markedly diminished at both LC(20) and LC(50) (p < 0.05), with a more substantial decline observed at LC(50), suggesting possible neurotoxicity. These findings indicate that SPI exposure causes substantial alterations in midgut morphology, detoxifying enzyme activity, and gene expression in Apis cerana cerana Fabricius pupae, underscoring the insecticide's detrimental impact on honey bee health.