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Villalba A, Cecchetto F, Vazquez ND, Amarilla L, Ramirez CL, Galetto L, Maggi M, Miglioranza KSB. Contaminant dynamics in honey bees and hive products of apiaries from environmentally contrasting Argentinean regions. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 249:118306. [PMID: 38307184 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
Argentina is a leading honey producer and honey bees are also critical for pollination services and wild plants. At the same time, it is a major crop producer with significant use of insecticides, posing risks to bees. Therefore, the presence of the highly toxic insecticide chlorpyrifos, and forbidden contaminants (organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)) was investigated in honey bee, beebread, wax and honey samples in apiaries from three contrasting regions of Argentina. Chlorpyrifos was detected in all samples with higher levels during period 1 (spring) in contrast to period 2 (fall), agreeing with its season-wise use in different crops, reaching 3.05 ng/g in honey bees. A subsequent first-tier pesticide hazard analysis revealed that it was relevant to honey bee health, mainly due to the high concentrations found in wax samples from two sites, reaching 132.4 ng/g. In addition, wax was found to be the most contaminated matrix with a prevalence of OCPs (∑OCPs 58.23-172.99 ng/g). Beebread samples showed the highest concentrations and diversity of pesticide residues during period 1 (higher temperatures). A predominance of the endosulfan group was registered in most samples, consistent with its intensive past use, especially in Central Patagonia before its prohibition. Among the industrial compounds, lighter PCB congeners dominated, suggesting the importance of atmospheric transport. The spatio-temporal distribution of pesticides shows a congruence with the environmental characteristics of the areas where the fields are located (i.e., land use, type of productive activities and climatic conditions). Sustained monitoring of different pollutants in beekeeping matrices is recommended to characterize chemical risks, assess the health status of honey bee hives and the pollution levels of different agroecosystems. This knowledge will set a precedent for South America and be helpful for actions focused on the conservation of pollination services, apiculture and ecosystems in Argentina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agustina Villalba
- Laboratory of Ecotoxicology and Environmental Contamination, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences (FCEyN), National University of Mar del Plata (UNMDP), Institute of Marine and Coastal Research (IIMyC), National Scientific and Technological Research Council (CONICET), Funes 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina; Center for Research in Social Bees (CIAS), FCEyN, UNMdP, Institute for Research in Production, Health and Environment (IIPROSAM), CONICET, Partner Center of the Scientific Research Commission of the Province of Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), Funes 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Franco Cecchetto
- Laboratory of Ecotoxicology and Environmental Contamination, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences (FCEyN), National University of Mar del Plata (UNMDP), Institute of Marine and Coastal Research (IIMyC), National Scientific and Technological Research Council (CONICET), Funes 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina.
| | - Nicolas D Vazquez
- Laboratory of Ecotoxicology and Environmental Contamination, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences (FCEyN), National University of Mar del Plata (UNMDP), Institute of Marine and Coastal Research (IIMyC), National Scientific and Technological Research Council (CONICET), Funes 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina; Laboratory of Cnidarian Biology, FCEyN, UNMDP, IIMyC, CONICET, Funes 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Leonardo Amarilla
- Department of Biological Diversity and Ecology, Faculty of Exact, Physic and Natural Sciences (FCEFyN), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Multidisciplinary Institute of Plant Biology (IMBIV), CONICET, Vélez Sarsfield 1611, 5000, Cordoba, Argentina
| | - Cristina L Ramirez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, FCEyN, UNMDP, Funes 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Leonardo Galetto
- Department of Biological Diversity and Ecology, Faculty of Exact, Physic and Natural Sciences (FCEFyN), Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC), Multidisciplinary Institute of Plant Biology (IMBIV), CONICET, Vélez Sarsfield 1611, 5000, Cordoba, Argentina
| | - Matías Maggi
- Center for Research in Social Bees (CIAS), FCEyN, UNMdP, Institute for Research in Production, Health and Environment (IIPROSAM), CONICET, Partner Center of the Scientific Research Commission of the Province of Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), Funes 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Karina S B Miglioranza
- Laboratory of Ecotoxicology and Environmental Contamination, Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences (FCEyN), National University of Mar del Plata (UNMDP), Institute of Marine and Coastal Research (IIMyC), National Scientific and Technological Research Council (CONICET), Funes 3350, 7600, Mar del Plata, Argentina
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Testing of the Efficacy of Bee Probiotic Lactobacilli Under In Vivo Conditions. FOLIA VETERINARIA 2023. [DOI: 10.2478/fv-2023-0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
American foulbrood is amongst the most dangerous diseases of the bee-family affecting many honeybee colonies worldwide. In countries of European Union, based on veterinary legislation, the bee colonies tested positive to American foulbrood are eradicated with high economic losses. It is therefore necessary to look for effective prevention, especially by the using of natural ingredients such as probiotics. In this study, we used lactobacilli isolated from digestive tracts of adult healthy honey bees and selected based on their good probiotic properties and ability to inhibit the growth of Paenibacillus larvae. These isolates were identified as Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus plantarum. Night cultures of both strains were used for the preparation of probiotic suspensions and pollen was selected as an appropriate carrier for application of probiotic lacto-bacilli to the hives. Half a litre of pollen suspension was prepared for each hive. The suspension for experimental hives contained probiotic lactobacilli in concentration of 107–108 CFU.ml−1. Bees in control hives received pollen suspension without addition of probiotic lacto-bacilli. The suspensions were supplied to bees three times, once a week. Before and during administration of probiotics, samples of honey bees from each hive were taken every week and numbers of lactobacilli, P. larvae, enterobacteria and coliform bacteria were determined in their digestive tracts. Four weeks after the first administration of probiotic-pollen solution the numbers of lactobacilli were increased approximately by 0.5 log. Before starting this experiment, P. larvae (approx. 107 CFU.ml−1) were detected in digestive tracts of honey bees. In the experimental group after 3 weeks and in the control group after 4 weeks, no viable counts of P. larvae were found. The numbers of enterobacteria, coliform bacteria and Bacillus sp. decreased in both groups. During the experiment the health and condition of the hives were monitored. In addition, also monitored were: the development of the bee colony, the number of dead bees, the amount of hive debris, the aggressiveness of the bees, and the amount of honey spun; later during the autumn treatment also the fall of Varroa jacobsoni was noted. In the experimental and control groups, we recorded a decrease in the amount of hive debris. Only in the experimental group was a slightly above-average development of the bee colony, slightly above-average honey yields and a 70 % lower drop of Varroa mites. Based on these results, we assumed that the probiotic-pollen solution had a positive influence on the composition of microbiota in bee digestive tracts and it can increase resistance to P. larvae. It also had a positive effect on the health and condition of the bee colony. Probiotic-free pollen solution showed similar but weaker effects.
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Johannesen J, Wöhl S, Berg S, Otten C. Annual Fluctuations in Winter Colony Losses of Apis mellifera L. Are Predicted by Honey Flow Dynamics of the Preceding Year. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13090829. [PMID: 36135530 PMCID: PMC9501173 DOI: 10.3390/insects13090829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Winter loss rates of honey bee colonies may fluctuate highly between years in temperate climates. The present study combined survey data of autumn and winter loss rates in Germany (2012-2021) with estimates of honey flow-assessed with automated hive scales as the start of honey flow in spring and its magnitude in summer-with the aim of understanding annual fluctuations in loss rates. Autumn colony loss rates were positively and significantly correlated with winter loss rates, whereas winter loss rates were inversely related to loss rates in autumn of the following year. An early start of net honey flow in spring predicted high loss rates in both autumn and winter, whereas high cumulative honey flow led to lower loss rates. The start of net honey flow was related to temperature sums in March. Combined, the results implied that the winter loss rate in one year was influenced by the loss rate of the preceding winter and shaped by honey flow dynamics during the following year. Hence, the rate of colony loss in winter can be viewed as a cumulative death process affected by the preceding one and a half years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jes Johannesen
- Fachzentrum Bienen und Imkerei, DLR-Westerwald-Osteifel, Im Bannen 38, 56727 Mayen, Germany
| | - Saskia Wöhl
- Fachzentrum Bienen und Imkerei, DLR-Westerwald-Osteifel, Im Bannen 38, 56727 Mayen, Germany
| | - Stefen Berg
- Institut für Bienenkunde und Imkerei, An der Steige 15, 97209 Veitshöchheim, Germany
| | - Christoph Otten
- Fachzentrum Bienen und Imkerei, DLR-Westerwald-Osteifel, Im Bannen 38, 56727 Mayen, Germany
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Frizzera D, Ray AM, Seffin E, Zanni V, Annoscia D, Grozinger CM, Nazzi F. The Beneficial Effect of Pollen on Varroa Infested Bees Depends on Its Influence on Behavioral Maturation Genes. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2022; 2:864238. [PMID: 38468781 PMCID: PMC10926424 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2022.864238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Honey bees collect nectar and pollen to fulfill their nutritional demands. In particular, pollen can influence longevity, the development of hypopharyngeal glands, and immune-competence of bees. Pollen can also mitigate the deleterious effects caused by the parasitic mite Varroa destructor and related deformed wing virus (DWV) infections. It has been shown that V. destructor accelerates the physiological and behavioral maturation of honey bees by influencing the interaction between two core physiological factors, Vitellogenin and juvenile hormone. In this study, we test the hypothesis that the beneficial effects of pollen on Varroa-infested bees are related to the hormonal control underpinning behavioral maturation. By analyzing the expression of genes associated to behavioral maturation in pollen-fed mite-infested bees, we show that treatment with pollen increases the lifespan of mite-infested bees by reversing the faster maturation induced by the parasite at the gene expression level. As expected, from the different immune-competence of nurse and forager bees, the lifespan extension triggered by pollen is also correlated with a positive influence of antimicrobial peptide gene expression and DWV load, further reinforcing the beneficial effect of pollen. This study lay the groundwork for future analyses of the underlying evolutionary processes and applications to improve bee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Frizzera
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences (DI4A), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Allyson M. Ray
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Elisa Seffin
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences (DI4A), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Virginia Zanni
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences (DI4A), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Desiderato Annoscia
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences (DI4A), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Christina M. Grozinger
- Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Biosciences Graduate Program, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Francesco Nazzi
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences (DI4A), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
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Noordyke ER, Ellis JD. Reviewing the Efficacy of Pollen Substitutes as a Management Tool for Improving the Health and Productivity of Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Colonies. FRONTIERS IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SYSTEMS 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2021.772897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Western honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) collect pollen from flowers as their source of protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals. Beekeepers feed pollen substitutes to their honey bee colonies to mitigate a lack of natural pollen resources in the environment. Despite their widespread use, it is unclear if pollen substitutes are beneficial to colony health and productivity. Herein, we review the literature regarding pollen substitute efficacy in four major categories: (1) consumption/palatability of pollen substitutes, (2) colony productivity, (3) pest and disease response, and (4) physiological response. Collectively, the literature shows a mix of positive, neutral, and negative impacts of pollen substitutes on honey bee colony health. Additionally, we recommend areas for improvement in pollen substitute research. We hope this review will lead to more research on pollen substitutes given nutrition is a key factor impacting the health of managed honey bees globally.
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Grund-Mueller N, Ruedenauer FA, Spaethe J, Leonhardt SD. Adding Amino Acids to a Sucrose Diet Is Not Sufficient to Support Longevity of Adult Bumble Bees. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11040247. [PMID: 32326445 PMCID: PMC7240467 DOI: 10.3390/insects11040247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2020] [Revised: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Dietary macro-nutrients (i.e., carbohydrates, protein, and fat) are important for bee larval development and, thus, colony health and fitness. To which extent different diets (varying in macro-nutrient composition) affect adult bees and whether they can thrive on nectar as the sole amino acid source has, however, been little investigated. We investigated how diets varying in protein concentration and overall nutrient composition affected consumption, longevity, and breeding behavior of the buff-tailed bumble bee, Bombus terrestris (Hymenoptera: Apidae). Queenless micro-colonies were fed either natural nutrient sources (pollen), nearly pure protein (i.e., the milk protein casein), or sucrose solutions with low and with high essential amino acid content in concentrations as can be found in nectar. We observed micro-colonies for 110 days. We found that longevity was highest for pure pollen and lowest for pure sucrose solution and sucrose solution supplemented with amino acids in concentrations as found in the nectar of several plant species. Adding higher concentrations of amino acids to sucrose solution did only slightly increase longevity compared to sucrose alone. Consequently, sucrose solution with the applied concentrations and proportions of amino acids or other protein sources (e.g., casein) alone did not meet the nutritional needs of healthy adult bumble bees. In fact, longevity was highest and reproduction only successful in micro-colonies fed pollen. These results indicate that, in addition to carbohydrates and protein, adult bumble bees, like larvae, need further nutrients (e.g., lipids and micro-nutrients) for their well-being. An appropriate nutritional composition seemed to be best provided by floral pollen, suggesting that pollen is an essential dietary component not only for larvae but also for adult bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nils Grund-Mueller
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology (Zoology III), University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany; (N.G.-M.); (F.A.R.); (S.D.L.)
| | - Fabian A. Ruedenauer
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology (Zoology III), University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany; (N.G.-M.); (F.A.R.); (S.D.L.)
- Plant-Insect Interactions Group, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
| | - Johannes Spaethe
- Department of Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology (Zoology II), University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-931-31-83408
| | - Sara D. Leonhardt
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology (Zoology III), University of Würzburg, 97074 Würzburg, Germany; (N.G.-M.); (F.A.R.); (S.D.L.)
- Plant-Insect Interactions Group, Technical University of Munich, 85354 Freising, Germany
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Villalba A, Maggi M, Ondarza PM, Szawarski N, Miglioranza KSB. Influence of land use on chlorpyrifos and persistent organic pollutant levels in honey bees, bee bread and honey: Beehive exposure assessment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 713:136554. [PMID: 31955084 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
This work reports the spatial and temporal variations on the dynamics of OCPs, PCBs, PBDEs and chlorpyrifos in honey bee, bee bread and honey samples, as well as soil and flowers from the surrounding areas, considering, different land uses. Honey bee samples showed the highest pollutant levels, with a predominance of the industrial contaminants over pesticides. Chlorpyrifos showed the highest concentration during the application period in almost all samples from the soybean field (S2), in concordance with its current use. By other hand, the recalcitrant compounds such as, DDTs, BDE #47 and also light PCBs exhibited the highest levels in beehive samples from the field adjacent to urban disposal waste (S3). In both soils and flower samples a prevalence of obsolete compounds over chlorpyrifos was observed, and the 6-CB predominated among the homologous groups of PCBs These results highlights the importance of soils as sink of these persistent contaminants, which became available depending on environmental conditions. Results revealed that the land uses and seasonal variations have directly impacted on the levels of agrochemicals, PCBs and PBDEs found in the beehive matrixes. This survey provides novel evidence about the current situation of pollution on honey bee colonies under temperate climates and contributes to the knowledge of this poor studied topic in Argentina.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Villalba
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología y Contaminación Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), FECYN, UNMDP-CONICET, Funes 3350, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina; Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), Laboratorio de Artrópodos - Grupo Acarología y Entomología, Instituto de Investigación en Sanidad, Producción y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), CIC-UNMdP, FECYN, UNMDP, Funes 3350, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - M Maggi
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), Laboratorio de Artrópodos - Grupo Acarología y Entomología, Instituto de Investigación en Sanidad, Producción y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), CIC-UNMdP, FECYN, UNMDP, Funes 3350, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - P M Ondarza
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología y Contaminación Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), FECYN, UNMDP-CONICET, Funes 3350, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - N Szawarski
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), Laboratorio de Artrópodos - Grupo Acarología y Entomología, Instituto de Investigación en Sanidad, Producción y Ambiente (IIPROSAM), CIC-UNMdP, FECYN, UNMDP, Funes 3350, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - K S B Miglioranza
- Laboratorio de Ecotoxicología y Contaminación Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras (IIMyC), FECYN, UNMDP-CONICET, Funes 3350, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina.
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Mortensen AN, Jack CJ, Bustamante TA, Schmehl DR, Ellis JD. Effects of Supplemental Pollen Feeding on Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colony Strength and Nosema spp. Infection. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2019; 112:60-66. [PMID: 30388242 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toy341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Beekeepers commonly supplement honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies' nutrition with commercial pollen and nectar substitutes in an effort to encourage growth and reduce colony losses. However, there is a broad lack of understanding regarding the extent to which supplemental protein feeding affects honey bee colony health. We conducted a field study to determine if feeding protein substitutes affected colony strength and Nosema spp. spore intensity in commercially managed honey bee colonies. Seventy-five honey bee colonies were randomly assigned to one of six treatments (no supplemental protein, one of four commercially available protein supplements, or wildflower pollen supplement). The number of adult bees, the number of capped brood cells, and Nosema intensity were assessed prior to-, 4 wk post-, and 8 wk post-treatment. There was an overall decrease in Nosema intensity across all treatments over time. However, there were no statistically detectable differences in colony strength or Nosema intensity between any of the pollen feeding treatments and those of the negative control treatment. Thus far, multiple investigations regarding supplemental protein feeding have failed to provide a clear consensus on the impact that this practice has on honey bee colony strength or productivity. Additional research is needed to determine the impact, if any, that diet supplementation, including microbial and nutritional supplements, has on colony health, to better inform beekeepers' management decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley N Mortensen
- Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology & Nematology Department, University of Florida, Building, Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL
| | - Cameron J Jack
- Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology & Nematology Department, University of Florida, Building, Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL
| | - Tomas A Bustamante
- Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology & Nematology Department, University of Florida, Building, Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL
| | - Daniel R Schmehl
- Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology & Nematology Department, University of Florida, Building, Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL
| | - James D Ellis
- Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology & Nematology Department, University of Florida, Building, Natural Area Drive, Gainesville, FL
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Šedivá M, Laho M, Kohútová L, Mojžišová A, Majtán J, Klaudiny J. 10-HDA, A Major Fatty Acid of Royal Jelly, Exhibits pH Dependent Growth-Inhibitory Activity Against Different Strains of Paenibacillus larvae. Molecules 2018; 23:E3236. [PMID: 30544571 PMCID: PMC6320966 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23123236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Paenibacillus larvae (P. larvae) is a bacterial pathogen causing American foulbrood (AFB), the most serious disease of honeybee larvae. The food of young larvae could play an important role in the resistance of larvae against AFB. It contains antibacterial substances produced by honeybees that may inhibit the propagation of the pathogen in larval midguts. In this study, we identified and investigated the antibacterial effects of one of these substances, trans-10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA), against P. larvae strains including all Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus (ERIC) genotypes. Its inhibitory activities were studied by determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). It was found that 10-HDA efficacy increases substantially with decreasing pH; up to 12-fold differences in efficacy were observed between pH = 5.5 and pH = 7.2. P. larvae strains showed different susceptibility to 10-HDA; up to 2.97-fold differences existed among various strains with environmentally important ERIC I and ERIC II genotypes. Germinating spores of the pathogen were generally more susceptible to 10-HDA than vegetative cells. Our findings suggest that 10-HDA could play significant role in conferring antipathogenic activity to larval food in the midguts of young larvae and contribute to the resistance of individual larvae to P. larvae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mária Šedivá
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Maroš Laho
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia.
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 21, 845 51 Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Lenka Kohútová
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Andrea Mojžišová
- Veterinary and Food Institute in Dolny Kubin, Janoškova 58, 02601 Dolný Kubín, Slovakia.
| | - Juraj Majtán
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 21, 845 51 Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Jaroslav Klaudiny
- Institute of Chemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 38 Bratislava, Slovakia.
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10
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Corby-Harris V, Snyder L, Meador C, Ayotte T. Honey bee (Apis mellifera) nurses do not consume pollens based on their nutritional quality. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0191050. [PMID: 29324841 PMCID: PMC5764376 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0191050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Honey bee workers (Apis mellifera) consume a variety of pollens to meet the majority of their requirements for protein and lipids. Recent work indicates that honey bees prefer diets that reflect the proper ratio of nutrients necessary for optimal survival and homeostasis. This idea relies on the precept that honey bees evaluate the nutritional composition of the foods provided to them. While this has been shown in bumble bees, the data for honey bees are mixed. Further, there is controversy as to whether foragers can evaluate the nutritional value of pollens, especially if they do not consume it. Here, we focused on nurse workers, who eat most of the pollen coming into the hive. We tested the hypothesis that nurses prefer diets with higher nutritional value. We first determined the nutritional profile, number of plant taxa (richness), and degree of hypopharyngeal gland (HG) growth conferred by three honey bee collected pollens. We then presented nurses with these same three pollens in paired choice assays and measured consumption. To further test whether nutrition influenced preference, we also presented bees with natural pollens supplemented with protein or lipids and liquid diets with protein and lipid ratios equal to the natural pollens. Different pollens conferred different degrees of HG growth, but despite these differences, nurse bees did not always prefer the most nutritious pollens. Adding protein and/or lipids to less desirable pollens minimally increased pollen attractiveness, and nurses did not exhibit a strong preference for any of the three liquid diets. We conclude that different pollens provide different nutritional benefits, but that nurses either cannot or do not assess pollen nutritional value. This implies that the nurses may not be able to communicate information about pollen quality to the foragers, who regulate the pollens coming into the hive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Corby-Harris
- Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, USDA-ARS, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Lucy Snyder
- Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, USDA-ARS, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Charlotte Meador
- Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, USDA-ARS, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Trace Ayotte
- Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, USDA-ARS, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
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11
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Piou V, Tabart J, Hemptinne JL, Vétillard A. Effect of pollen extract supplementation on the varroatosis tolerance of honey bee (Apis mellifera) larvae reared in vitro. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2018; 74:25-41. [PMID: 29230627 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-017-0198-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
As the main source of lipids and proteins in honey bees, pollen is a major nutrient provider involved in development and health and has been studied for tolerance stimulation against pathogens and parasites. In the case of Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman (Acari, Mesostigmata: Varroidae) parasitization, the lack of a complete laboratory system to rear both the bee larva and the acarian parasite limited the studies concerning larval nutrition effects on the bee tolerance and resistance against varroatosis. Due to the development of this complete rearing protocol, we managed to feed young honey bee larvae with pollen supplemented solutions and to study the effect on their later development under parasitism conditions. In our experimental conditions, pollen influences neither the deformity rate, nor the survival of bees both parasitized and unparasitized. However, pollen extract supplementation seems to significantly impact the weight of the spinning bee larvae without having an effect on the physiological weight loss during pupation, so the differences found at the larval stage remain the same as at emergence. Varroa has a deleterious effect on bee pupae and led to a steady increase of the physiological weight loss experienced during metamorphosis. Interestingly, this ponderal loss associated with Varroa parasitization seems to be reduced in the polyfloral pollen supplementation condition. Altogether, this work is to our knowledge the first to study in laboratory conditions the impact of larval nutrition on the tolerance to parasitism. A diverse pollen diet may be beneficial to the bees' tolerance against V. destructor parasitism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincent Piou
- Laboratoire Venins et Activités Biologiques, EA 4357, PRES-Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-Francois Champollion, Albi, France.
| | - Jérémy Tabart
- Laboratoire Venins et Activités Biologiques, EA 4357, PRES-Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-Francois Champollion, Albi, France
| | - Jean-Louis Hemptinne
- Laboratoire Evolution et Diversité Biologique, UMR5174, CNRS-Université Toulouse III-ENFA, Université Paul Sabatier, 31062, Toulouse, France
| | - Angélique Vétillard
- Laboratoire Venins et Activités Biologiques, EA 4357, PRES-Université de Toulouse, Institut National Universitaire Jean-Francois Champollion, Albi, France
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12
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Gong Y, Diao Q. Current knowledge of detoxification mechanisms of xenobiotic in honey bees. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2017; 26:1-12. [PMID: 27819118 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-016-1742-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The western honey bee Apis mellifera is the most important managed pollinator species in the world. Multiple factors have been implicated as potential causes or factors contributing to colony collapse disorder, including honey bee pathogens and nutritional deficiencies as well as exposure to pesticides. Honey bees' genome is characterized by a paucity of genes associated with detoxification, which makes them vulnerable to specific pesticides, especially to combinations of pesticides in real field environments. Many studies have investigated the mechanisms involved in detoxification of xenobiotics/pesticides in honey bees, from primal enzyme assays or toxicity bioassays to characterization of transcript gene expression and protein expression in response to xenobiotics/insecticides by using a global transcriptomic or proteomic approach, and even to functional characterizations. The global transcriptomic and proteomic approach allowed us to learn that detoxification mechanisms in honey bees involve multiple genes and pathways along with changes in energy metabolism and cellular stress response. P450 genes, is highly implicated in the direct detoxification of xenobiotics/insecticides in honey bees and their expression can be regulated by honey/pollen constitutes, resulting in the tolerance of honey bees to other xenobiotics or insecticides. P450s is also a key detoxification enzyme that mediate synergism interaction between acaricides/insecticides and fungicides through inhibition P450 activity by fungicides or competition for detoxification enzymes between acaricides. With the wide use of insecticides in agriculture, understanding the detoxification mechanism of insecticides in honey bees and how honeybees fight with the xenobiotis or insecticides to survive in the changing environment will finally benefit honeybees' management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youhui Gong
- Department of Honeybee Protection and Biosafety, Institute of apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No.1 Beigou Xiangshan, Haidian District, Beijing, 100093, P.R. China
| | - Qingyun Diao
- Department of Honeybee Protection and Biosafety, Institute of apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No.1 Beigou Xiangshan, Haidian District, Beijing, 100093, P.R. China.
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13
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Di Pasquale G, Alaux C, Le Conte Y, Odoux JF, Pioz M, Vaissière BE, Belzunces LP, Decourtye A. Variations in the Availability of Pollen Resources Affect Honey Bee Health. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0162818. [PMID: 27631605 PMCID: PMC5025243 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Intensive agricultural systems often expose honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) to large temporal variations in the availability (quantity, quality and diversity) of nutritional resources. Such nutritional irregularity is expected to affect honey bee health. We therefore tested under laboratory conditions the effect of such variation in pollen availability on honey bee health (survival and nursing physiology—hypopharyngeal gland development and vitellogenin expression). We fed honey bees with different diets composed of pollen pellets collected by honey bees in an agricultural landscape of western France. Slight drops (5–10%) in the availability of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) pollen resulted in significant reductions of all tested variables. Despite some variations in taxonomic diversity and nutritional quality, the pollen mixes harvested over the season had a similar positive influence on honey bee health, except for the one collected in late July that induced poor survival and nursing physiology. This period coincided with the mass-flowering of maize (Zea mays L.), an anemophilous crop which produces poor-quality pollen. Therefore, changes in bee health were not connected to variations in pollen diversity but rather to variations in pollen depletion and quality, such as can be encountered in an intensive agricultural system of western France. Finally, even though pollen can be available ad libitum during the mass-flowering of some crops (e.g. maize), it can fail to provide bees with diet adequate for their development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cédric Alaux
- UMT PrADE, Avignon, France
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Avignon, France
| | - Yves Le Conte
- UMT PrADE, Avignon, France
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Avignon, France
| | | | - Maryline Pioz
- UMT PrADE, Avignon, France
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Avignon, France
| | - Bernard E. Vaissière
- UMT PrADE, Avignon, France
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Avignon, France
| | - Luc P. Belzunces
- UMT PrADE, Avignon, France
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Avignon, France
| | - Axel Decourtye
- UMT PrADE, Avignon, France
- ACTA, Avignon, France
- ITSAP-Institut de l’abeille, Avignon, France
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14
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Riessberger-Gallé U, Hernández-López J, Rechberger G, Crailsheim K, Schuehly W. Lysophosphatidylcholine acts in the constitutive immune defence against American foulbrood in adult honeybees. Sci Rep 2016; 6:30699. [PMID: 27480379 PMCID: PMC4969740 DOI: 10.1038/srep30699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Honeybee (Apis mellifera) imagines are resistant to the Gram-positive bacterium Paenibacillus larvae (P. larvae), causative agent of American foulbrood (AFB), whereas honeybee larvae show susceptibility against this pathogen only during the first 48 h of their life. It is known that midgut homogenate of adult honeybees as well as a homogenate of aged larvae exhibit strong anti-P. larvae activity. A bioactivity-guided LC-HRMS analysis of midgut homogenate resulted in the identification of 1-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (LPC) pointing to a yet unknown immune defence in adult honeybees against P. larvae. Antimicrobial activity of LPC was also demonstrated against Melissococcus plutonius, causative agent of European Foulbrood. To demonstrate an AFB-preventive effect of LPC in larvae, artificially reared larvae were supplemented with LPC to evaluate its toxicity and to assess whether, after infection with P. larvae spores, LPC supplementation prevents AFB infection. 10 μg LPC per larva applied for 3 d significantly lowered mortality due to AFB in comparison to controls. A potential delivery route of LPC to the larvae in a colony via nurse bees was assessed through a tracking experiment using fluorescent-labelled LPC. This yet undescribed and non-proteinous defense of honeybees against P. larvae may offer new perspectives for a treatment of AFB without the utilization of classic antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gerald Rechberger
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, University of Graz, NAWI Graz, Humboldtstraße 50/II, 8010 Graz, Austria
- OMICS Centre Graz, BioTechMed-Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Karl Crailsheim
- Institute of Zoology, Universitätsplatz 2, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Schuehly
- Institute of Zoology, Universitätsplatz 2, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacognosy, Universitätsplatz 4, University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
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15
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Čeksterytė V, Navakauskienė R, Treigytė G, Jansen E, Kurtinaitienė B, Dabkevičienė G, Balžekas J. Fatty acid profiles of monofloral clover beebread and pollen and proteomics of red clover (Trifolium pratense) pollen. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2016; 80:2100-2108. [PMID: 27380113 DOI: 10.1080/09168451.2016.1204218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Fatty acids were identified in monofloral beebread (BB) and bee pollen (BP) loads collected from Trifolium pratense L. A gas chromatography method was used to identify and quantify fatty acids: Thirty-five fatty acids were identified in BB and 42 in BP. A high amount of the healthy n-3 fatty acids was found. The ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids n-3 to n-6 reached a value of 8.42 and 3.35 in the latter products. The proteomic analysis also was performed on the manually collected T. pratense pollen, and the most abundant protein groups were subjected to mass spectrometry analysis. Proteins identified in T. pratense pollen are involved in the main cellular functions (cell membrane formation, organelles traffic, and mainly metabolic processes). Because of the composition of fatty acids in BB and BP and a variety of proteins present in pollen, these products are considered to be favorable for human nutrition and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Violeta Čeksterytė
- a Institute of Agriculture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry Akademija , Kedainiai , Lithuania
| | - Rūta Navakauskienė
- b Department of Molecular Cell Biology , Institute of Biochemistry, Vilnius University , Vilnius , Lithuania
| | - Gražina Treigytė
- b Department of Molecular Cell Biology , Institute of Biochemistry, Vilnius University , Vilnius , Lithuania
| | - Eugene Jansen
- c Centre for Health Protection , National Institute for Public Health and the Environment , Bilthoven , The Netherlands
| | - Bogumila Kurtinaitienė
- d Department of Bioanalysis , Institute of Biochemistry, Vilnius University , Vilnius , Lithuania
| | - Giedrė Dabkevičienė
- a Institute of Agriculture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry Akademija , Kedainiai , Lithuania
| | - Jonas Balžekas
- a Institute of Agriculture, Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry Akademija , Kedainiai , Lithuania
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16
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Ziska LH, Pettis JS, Edwards J, Hancock JE, Tomecek MB, Clark A, Dukes JS, Loladze I, Polley HW. Rising atmospheric CO2 is reducing the protein concentration of a floral pollen source essential for North American bees. Proc Biol Sci 2016; 283:20160414. [PMID: 27075256 PMCID: PMC4843664 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.0414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2016] [Accepted: 03/22/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
At present, there is substantive evidence that the nutritional content of agriculturally important food crops will decrease in response to rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide, Ca However, whether Ca-induced declines in nutritional quality are also occurring for pollinator food sources is unknown. Flowering late in the season, goldenrod (Solidago spp.) pollen is a widely available autumnal food source commonly acknowledged by apiarists to be essential to native bee (e.g. Bombus spp.) and honeybee (Apis mellifera) health and winter survival. Using floral collections obtained from the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, we quantified Ca-induced temporal changes in pollen protein concentration of Canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), the most wide spread Solidago taxon, from hundreds of samples collected throughout the USA and southern Canada over the period 1842-2014 (i.e. a Ca from approx. 280 to 398 ppm). In addition, we conducted a 2 year in situtrial of S. Canadensis populations grown along a continuous Ca gradient from approximately 280 to 500 ppm. The historical data indicated a strong significant correlation between recent increases in Ca and reductions in pollen protein concentration (r(2)= 0.81). Experimental data confirmed this decrease in pollen protein concentration, and indicated that it would be ongoing as Ca continues to rise in the near term, i.e. to 500 ppm (r(2)= 0.88). While additional data are needed to quantify the subsequent effects of reduced protein concentration for Canada goldenrod on bee health and population stability, these results are the first to indicate that increasing Ca can reduce protein content of a floral pollen source widely used by North American bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lewis H Ziska
- Crop Systems and Global Change Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Jeffery S Pettis
- Research Entomologist, Bee Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Joan Edwards
- Department of Biology, Williams College, Williamstown, MA 01267, USA
| | - Jillian E Hancock
- Department of Biology, Williams College, Williamstown, MA 01267, USA
| | - Martha B Tomecek
- Crop Systems and Global Change Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Andrew Clark
- US National Herbarium, Smithsonian Institution, MRC 166, PO Box 37012, Washington, DC 20013-7012, USA
| | - Jeffrey S Dukes
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47097, USA Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47097, USA
| | - Irakli Loladze
- Bryan College of Health Sciences, Bryan Medical Center, Lincoln, NE 68506, USA
| | - H Wayne Polley
- Grassland, Soil and Water Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Temple, TX 76502, USA
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17
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Antúnez K, Anido M, Branchiccela B, Harriet J, Campa J, Invernizzi C, Santos E, Higes M, Martín-Hernández R, Zunino P. Seasonal Variation of Honeybee Pathogens and its Association with Pollen Diversity in Uruguay. MICROBIAL ECOLOGY 2015; 70:522-533. [PMID: 25794593 DOI: 10.1007/s00248-015-0594-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2014] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Honeybees are susceptible to a wide range of pathogens, which have been related to the occurrence of colony loss episodes reported mainly in north hemisphere countries. Their ability to resist those infections is compromised if they are malnourished or exposed to pesticides. The aim of the present study was to carry out an epidemiological study in Uruguay, South America, in order to evaluate the dynamics and interaction of honeybee pathogens and evaluate their association with the presence of external stress factors such as restricted pollen diversity and presence of agrochemicals. We monitored 40 colonies in two apiaries over 24 months, regularly quantifying colony strength, parasite and pathogen status, and pollen diversity. Chlorinated pesticides, phosphorus, pyrethroid, fipronil, or sulfas were not found in stored pollen in any colony or season. Varroa destructor was widespread in March (end of summer-beginning of autumn), decreasing after acaricide treatments. Viruses ABPV, DWV, and SBV presented a similar trend, while IAPV and KBV were not detected. Nosema ceranae was detected along the year while Nosema apis was detected only in one sample. Fifteen percent of the colonies died, being associated to high V. destructor mite load in March and high N. ceranae spore loads in September. Although similar results have been reported in north hemisphere countries, this is the first study of these characteristics in Uruguay, highlighting the regional importance. On the other side, colonies with pollen of diverse botanical origins showed reduced viral infection levels, suggesting that an adequate nutrition is important for the development of healthy colonies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Antúnez
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable, Avda. Italia 3318, Montevideo, Uruguay,
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18
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Scofield HN, Mattila HR. Honey bee workers that are pollen stressed as larvae become poor foragers and waggle dancers as adults. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0121731. [PMID: 25853902 PMCID: PMC4390236 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0121731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The negative effects on adult behavior of juvenile undernourishment are well documented in vertebrates, but relatively poorly understood in invertebrates. We examined the effects of larval nutritional stress on the foraging and recruitment behavior of an economically important model invertebrate, the honey bee (Apis mellifera). Pollen, which supplies essential nutrients to developing workers, can become limited in colonies because of seasonal dearths, loss of foraging habitat, or intensive management. However, the functional consequences of being reared by pollen-stressed nestmates remain unclear, despite growing concern that poor nutrition interacts with other stressors to exacerbate colony decline. We manipulated nurse bees' access to pollen and then assessed differences in weight, longevity, foraging activity, and waggle-dance behavior of the workers that they reared (who were co-fostered as adults). Pollen stress during larval development had far-reaching physical and behavioral effects on adult workers. Workers reared in pollen-stressed colonies were lighter and shorter lived than nestmates reared with adequate access to pollen. Proportionally fewer stressed workers were observed foraging and those who did forage started foraging sooner, foraged for fewer days, and were more likely to die after only a single day of foraging. Pollen-stressed workers were also less likely to waggle dance than their unstressed counterparts and, if they danced, the information they conveyed about the location of food was less precise. These performance deficits may escalate if long-term pollen limitation prevents stressed foragers from providing sufficiently for developing workers. Furthermore, the effects of brief pollen shortages reported here mirror the effects of other environmental stressors that limit worker access to nutrients, suggesting the likelihood of their synergistic interaction. Honey bees often experience the level of stress that we created, thus our findings underscore the importance of adequate nutrition for supporting worker performance and their potential contribution to colony productivity and quality pollination services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hailey N. Scofield
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Heather R. Mattila
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wellesley College, Wellesley, Massachusetts, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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19
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20
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Hansen H, Brødsgaard CJ. American foulbrood: a review of its biology, diagnosis and control. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015. [DOI: 10.1080/0005772x.1999.11099415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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21
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Giacobino A, Cagnolo NB, Merke J, Orellano E, Bertozzi E, Masciangelo G, Pietronave H, Salto C, Signorini M. Risk factors associated with the presence of Varroa destructor in honey bee colonies from east-central Argentina. Prev Vet Med 2014; 115:280-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2014.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2013] [Revised: 02/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/06/2014] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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22
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Di Pasquale G, Salignon M, Le Conte Y, Belzunces LP, Decourtye A, Kretzschmar A, Suchail S, Brunet JL, Alaux C. Influence of pollen nutrition on honey bee health: do pollen quality and diversity matter? PLoS One 2013; 8:e72016. [PMID: 23940803 PMCID: PMC3733843 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0072016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 374] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2013] [Accepted: 07/04/2013] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Honey bee colonies are highly dependent upon the availability of floral resources from which they get the nutrients (notably pollen) necessary to their development and survival. However, foraging areas are currently affected by the intensification of agriculture and landscape alteration. Bees are therefore confronted to disparities in time and space of floral resource abundance, type and diversity, which might provide inadequate nutrition and endanger colonies. The beneficial influence of pollen availability on bee health is well-established but whether quality and diversity of pollen diets can modify bee health remains largely unknown. We therefore tested the influence of pollen diet quality (different monofloral pollens) and diversity (polyfloral pollen diet) on the physiology of young nurse bees, which have a distinct nutritional physiology (e.g. hypopharyngeal gland development and vitellogenin level), and on the tolerance to the microsporidian parasite Nosemaceranae by measuring bee survival and the activity of different enzymes potentially involved in bee health and defense response (glutathione-S-transferase (detoxification), phenoloxidase (immunity) and alkaline phosphatase (metabolism)). We found that both nurse bee physiology and the tolerance to the parasite were affected by pollen quality. Pollen diet diversity had no effect on the nurse bee physiology and the survival of healthy bees. However, when parasitized, bees fed with the polyfloral blend lived longer than bees fed with monofloral pollens, excepted for the protein-richest monofloral pollen. Furthermore, the survival was positively correlated to alkaline phosphatase activity in healthy bees and to phenoloxydase activities in infected bees. Our results support the idea that both the quality and diversity (in a specific context) of pollen can shape bee physiology and might help to better understand the influence of agriculture and land-use intensification on bee nutrition and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Garance Di Pasquale
- UMT, Protection des Abeilles dans l’Environnement, CS 40509, Avignon, France
- ACTA, Site Agroparc, Avignon, France
| | - Marion Salignon
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, CS 40509, Avignon, France
| | - Yves Le Conte
- UMT, Protection des Abeilles dans l’Environnement, CS 40509, Avignon, France
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, CS 40509, Avignon, France
| | - Luc P. Belzunces
- UMT, Protection des Abeilles dans l’Environnement, CS 40509, Avignon, France
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, CS 40509, Avignon, France
| | - Axel Decourtye
- UMT, Protection des Abeilles dans l’Environnement, CS 40509, Avignon, France
- ACTA, Site Agroparc, Avignon, France
| | - André Kretzschmar
- UMT, Protection des Abeilles dans l’Environnement, CS 40509, Avignon, France
- INRA, UR 546 Biostatistique et Processus Spatiaux, CS 40509, Avignon, France
| | - Séverine Suchail
- Université d’Avignon et des pays du Vaucluse, UMR 7263 Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d’Ecologie, Pôle Agrosciences, Avignon, France
| | - Jean-Luc Brunet
- UMT, Protection des Abeilles dans l’Environnement, CS 40509, Avignon, France
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, CS 40509, Avignon, France
| | - Cédric Alaux
- UMT, Protection des Abeilles dans l’Environnement, CS 40509, Avignon, France
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, CS 40509, Avignon, France
- * E-mail:
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Nutritional limitation and resistance to opportunistic Aspergillus parasites in honey bee larvae. J Invertebr Pathol 2012; 111:68-73. [PMID: 22750047 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2012.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2012] [Revised: 05/02/2012] [Accepted: 06/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Honey bees are threatened by land use changes which reduce the availability and diversity of pollen and nectar resources. There is concern that poor nutrition may be involved in recent population declines, either directly or due to indirect effects on immunocompetence. The larval stage is likely to be the most vulnerable to a poor diet, but the effects of larval nutrition on the disease susceptibility of bees are not well known. In this study we used laboratory-reared honey bee larvae to investigate the effects of diet quality on disease susceptibility to the opportunistic fungal parasites Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus phoenicis and A. fumigatus. Larvae fed on a nutritionally poor diet were found to be significantly more susceptible to A. fumigatus. Larval resistance to A. fumigatus was enhanced by feeding with a diet supplemented with either dandelion or polyfloral pollens. This indicates that dandelion and polyfloral pollens contain elements that enhance resistance to this fungal disease, illustrating an interaction between nutrition and parasitism and emphasising the benefit of diverse floral resources in the environment to maintain honey bee health.
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24
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Expression of larval jelly antimicrobial peptide defensin1 in Apis mellifera colonies. Biologia (Bratisl) 2012. [DOI: 10.2478/s11756-011-0153-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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25
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Alaux C, Dantec C, Parrinello H, Le Conte Y. Nutrigenomics in honey bees: digital gene expression analysis of pollen's nutritive effects on healthy and varroa-parasitized bees. BMC Genomics 2011; 12:496. [PMID: 21985689 PMCID: PMC3209670 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-12-496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 123] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2011] [Accepted: 10/10/2011] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Malnutrition is a major factor affecting animal health, resistance to disease and survival. In honey bees (Apis mellifera), pollen, which is the main dietary source of proteins, amino acids and lipids, is essential to adult bee physiological development while reducing their susceptibility to parasites and pathogens. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying pollen's nutritive impact on honey bee health remained to be determined. For that purpose, we investigated the influence of pollen nutrients on the transcriptome of worker bees parasitized by the mite Varroa destructor, known for suppressing immunity and decreasing lifespan. The 4 experimental groups (control bees without a pollen diet, control bees fed with pollen, varroa-parasitized bees without a pollen diet and varroa-parasitized bees fed with pollen) were analyzed by performing a digital gene expression (DGE) analysis on bee abdomens. Results Around 36, 000 unique tags were generated per DGE-tag library, which matched about 8, 000 genes (60% of the genes in the honey bee genome). Comparing the transcriptome of bees fed with pollen and sugar and bees restricted to a sugar diet, we found that pollen activates nutrient-sensing and metabolic pathways. In addition, those nutrients had a positive influence on genes affecting longevity and the production of some antimicrobial peptides. However, varroa parasitism caused the development of viral populations and a decrease in metabolism, specifically by inhibiting protein metabolism essential to bee health. This harmful effect was not reversed by pollen intake. Conclusions The DGE-tag profiling methods used in this study proved to be a powerful means for analyzing transcriptome variation related to nutrient intake in honey bees. Ultimately, with such an approach, applying genomics tools to nutrition research, nutrigenomics promises to offer a better understanding of how nutrition influences body homeostasis and may help reduce the susceptibility of bees to (less virulent) pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cédric Alaux
- INRA, UMR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Domaine Saint-Paul, 84914 Avignon, France.
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Behrens D, Forsgren E, Fries I, Moritz RFA. Lethal infection thresholds of Paenibacillus larvae for honeybee drone and worker larvae (Apis mellifera). Environ Microbiol 2010; 12:2838-45. [PMID: 20545737 DOI: 10.1111/j.1462-2920.2010.02257.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
We compared the mortality of honeybee (Apis mellifera) drone and worker larvae from a single queen under controlled in vitro conditions following infection with Paenibacillus larvae, a bacterium causing the brood disease American Foulbrood (AFB). We also determined absolute P. larvae cell numbers and lethal titres in deceased individuals of both sexes up to 8 days post infection using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Our results show that in drones the onset of infection induced mortality is delayed by 1 day, the cumulative mortality is reduced by 10% and P. larvae cell numbers are higher than in worker larvae. Since differences in bacterial cell titres between sexes can be explained by differences in body size, larval size appears to be a key parameter for a lethal threshold in AFB tolerance. Both means and variances for lethal thresholds are similar for drone and worker larvae suggesting that drone resistance phenotypes resemble those of related workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dieter Behrens
- Department of Biology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06099 Halle, Germany.
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Abstract
The maintenance of the immune system can be costly, and a lack of dietary protein can increase the susceptibility of organisms to disease. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between protein nutrition and immunity in insects. Here, we tested in honeybees (Apis mellifera) whether dietary protein quantity (monofloral pollen) and diet diversity (polyfloral pollen) can shape baseline immunocompetence (IC) by measuring parameters of individual immunity (haemocyte concentration, fat body content and phenoloxidase activity) and glucose oxidase (GOX) activity, which enables bees to sterilize colony and brood food, as a parameter of social immunity. Protein feeding modified both individual and social IC but increases in dietary protein quantity did not enhance IC. However, diet diversity increased IC levels. In particular, polyfloral diets induced higher GOX activity compared with monofloral diets, including protein-richer diets. These results suggest a link between protein nutrition and immunity in honeybees and underscore the critical role of resource availability on pollinator health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cédric Alaux
- INRA, UMR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Laboratoire Biologie et Protection de l'abeille, Domaine Saint-Paul, Avignon, France.
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Evans JD. Transcriptional immune responses by honey bee larvae during invasion by the bacterial pathogen, Paenibacillus larvae. J Invertebr Pathol 2004; 85:105-11. [PMID: 15050840 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2004.02.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2003] [Accepted: 02/11/2004] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Honey bee larvae are highly susceptible to the bacterial pathogen Paenibacillus larvae only during the first instar of larval development. Transcript levels were measured for genes encoding two antimicrobial peptides, abaecin and defensin, as well as for two candidates in the immune response cascade (PGRP-LD and masquerade) in control larvae and larvae exposed to the pathogen. Transcripts for all four are present throughout development. This suggests that other physiological or dietary factors may better explain the age-based change in vulnerability to this pathogen. One of these genes, abaecin, shows significant up-regulation 24 h following oral inoculation with P. larvae, precisely when the bacterium surmounts the midgut epithelia of bees. Expression of both antimicrobial peptides varied by 1000-fold across different nestmate bees, indicating an allelic component to their expression. The implications of these results for current hypotheses related to disease tolerance in social insects are discussed, along with implications for breeding bees resistant to this important disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay D Evans
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Lab, Beltsville, MD 20705 USA.
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James RR, Lighthart B. The effect of temperature, diet, and larval instar on the susceptibility of an aphid predator, Hippodamia convergens (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae), to the weak bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas fluorescens. J Invertebr Pathol 1992. [DOI: 10.1016/0022-2011(92)90001-k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Peng YS, Peng KY. A study on the possible utilization of immunodiffusion and immunofluorescence techniques as the diagnostic methods for American foulbrood of honeybees (Apis mellifera). J Invertebr Pathol 1979. [DOI: 10.1016/0022-2011(79)90028-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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