Monitoring of levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in bees caught from beekeeping: remark 1

摘要

The honeybee (Apis mellifera) is known as a reliable ecological detector for the assessment of environmental pollution (Porrini et al. 1998; Porrini et al. 2002). Several ecological, ethological and morphological characteristics contribute to the suitability of this insect as bioindicator. Honeybees are highly sensitive to most chemical pollutants, they have a high reproduction rate and a short lifespan. Moreover, they have a great mobility and, through their body hair, are continuously exposed to pollutants from different environmental sectors like water, air, soil and vegetation.