Effects of Ivermectin on Pollinator Vision

Pollinators are organisms playing a significant role in the ecosystem, with many factors endangering them, such as different pesticides, including the one we used – ivermectin, whose concentration in the environment has only increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we examined the influence of this agent on pollinator vision by observing its effect on the responsiveness of insect compound eyes. We carried out experiments on six insects belonging to six different species. We exposed the insects’ eyes to flash stimulation and, with surface electrodes, measured the electrical response of the examined nerve cells. We observed how ivermectin negatively affects the vision of pollinators, as the response received was weaker, thus compromising their role in the environment.