Polypoll: an interdisciplinary approach to unravel the effects of Combined exposure to chemical pollutants on insect pollinators

Insect pollinators play a vital role in maintaining wild plant diversity and crop yields, essential for global food security. However, these invaluable species are facing alarming declines due to several causes, with chemical pollution emerging as a key driver. While many ecotoxicological studies focused on the effects of insecticides, pollinators are routinely exposed in agricultural settings to cocktails of other chemicals such as fungicides, herbicides, heavy metals, and veterinary drugs. The combined ecotoxicological effects of these pollutants on pollinators remain poorly understood. Moreover, chemical pollutants can elicit sublethal effects in pollinators, including physiological and behavioural alterations. While previous studies have primarily focused on honeybees, there is a pressing need to extend this research to other insect pollinators. Utilizing multi-biomarker approaches may offer insights into the impacts of pollutants on diverse physiological pathways and enable the development of early warning signals to assess pollinator health. Additionally, chemical pollutants can disrupt the gut microbiome, a crucial component of the insect holobiont. Given the importance of microbial symbionts in insects, understanding the effects of pollutants on the microbiome is essential for all pollinator species. To address these knowledge gaps, the POLYPOLL project adopts a holistic approach, investigating the effects of various chemical pollutants on three representative species: social honey bee (Apis mellifera), solitary red mason bee (Osmia bicornis), and common drone fly (Eristalis tenax). By studying different species, representing different lifestyles and taxa, the project aims to thoroughly assess the impact of chemical pollutants. By integrating multiple stressors, innovative methodologies and diverse pollinator species, the project aims to improve our understanding of the complex interactions between pollutants and pollinator health. Ultimately, these findings will refine environmental risk assessment protocols and help conserve pollinator populations and their vital ecosystem services. POLYPOLL is a PRIN 2022 project, funded by European Union – Next Generation EU.