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Kohl PL, Rutschmann B, Steffan-Dewenter I. Population demography of feral honeybee colonies in central European forests. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:220565. [PMID: 35950195 PMCID: PMC9346370 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220565] [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: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
European honeybee populations are considered to consist only of managed colonies, but recent censuses have revealed that wild/feral colonies still occur in various countries. To gauge the ecological and evolutionary relevance of wild-living honeybees, information is needed on their population demography. We monitored feral honeybee colonies in German forests for up to 4 years through regular inspections of woodpecker cavity trees and microsatellite genotyping. Each summer, about 10% of the trees were occupied, corresponding to average densities of 0.23 feral colonies km-2 (an estimated 5% of the regional honeybee populations). Populations decreased moderately until autumn but dropped massively during winter, so that their densities were only about 0.02 colonies km-2 in early spring. During the reproductive (swarming) season, in May and June, populations recovered, with new swarms preferring nest sites that had been occupied in the previous year. The annual survival rate and the estimated lifespan of feral colonies (n = 112) were 10.6% and 0.6 years, respectively. We conclude that managed forests in Germany do not harbour self-sustaining feral honeybee populations, but they are recolonized every year by swarms escaping from apiaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick L. Kohl
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Benjamin Rutschmann
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Functional Properties and Antimicrobial Activity from Lactic Acid Bacteria as Resources to Improve the Health and Welfare of Honey Bees. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13030308. [PMID: 35323606 PMCID: PMC8953987 DOI: 10.3390/insects13030308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Honey bees play a pivotal role in the sustainability of ecosystems and biodiversity. Many factors including parasites, pathogens, pesticide residues, forage losses, and poor nutrition have been proposed to explain honey bee colony losses. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are normal inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tract of honey bees and their role has been consistently reported in the literature. In recent years, there have been numerous scientific evidence that the intestinal microbiota plays an essential role in honey bee health. Management strategies, based on supplementation of the gut microbiota with probiotics, may be important to increase stress tolerance and disease resistance. In this review, recent scientific advances on the use of LABs as microbial supplements in the diet of honey bees are summarized and discussed. Abstract Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are agriculturally important pollinators. Over the past decades, significant losses of wild and domestic bees have been reported in many parts of the world. Several biotic and abiotic factors, such as change in land use over time, intensive land management, use of pesticides, climate change, beekeeper’s management practices, lack of forage (nectar and pollen), and infection by parasites and pathogens, negatively affect the honey bee’s well-being and survival. The gut microbiota is important for honey bee growth and development, immune function, protection against pathogen invasion; moreover, a well-balanced microbiota is fundamental to support honey bee health and vigor. In fact, the structure of the bee’s intestinal bacterial community can become an indicator of the honey bee’s health status. Lactic acid bacteria are normal inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tract of many insects, and their presence in the honey bee intestinal tract has been consistently reported in the literature. In the first section of this review, recent scientific advances in the use of LABs as probiotic supplements in the diet of honey bees are summarized and discussed. The second section discusses some of the mechanisms by which LABs carry out their antimicrobial activity against pathogens. Afterward, individual paragraphs are dedicated to Chalkbrood, American foulbrood, European foulbrood, Nosemosis, and Varroosis as well as to the potentiality of LABs for their biological control.
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Panziera D, Requier F, Chantawannakul P, Pirk CWW, Blacquière T. The Diversity Decline in Wild and Managed Honey Bee Populations Urges for an Integrated Conservation Approach. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.767950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Many parts of the globe experience severe losses and fragmentation of habitats, affecting the self-sustainability of pollinator populations. A number of bee species coexist as wild and managed populations. Using honey bees as an example, we argue that several management practices in beekeeping threaten genetic diversity in both wild and managed populations, and drive population decline. Large-scale movement of hive stocks, introductions into new areas, breeding programs and trading of queens contribute to reducing genetic diversity, as recent research demonstrated for wild and managed honey bees within a few decades. Examples of the effects of domestication in other organisms show losses of both genetic diversity and fitness functions. Cases of natural selection and feralization resulted in maintenance of a higher genetic diversity, including in a Varroa destructor surviving population of honey bees. To protect the genetic diversity of honey bee populations, exchange between regions should be avoided. The proposed solution to selectively breed all local subspecies for a use in beekeeping would reduce the genetic diversity of each, and not address the value of the genetic diversity present in hybridized populations. The protection of Apis mellifera’s, Apis cerana’s and Apis koschevnikovi’s genetic diversities could be based on natural selection. In beekeeping, it implies to not selectively breed but to leave the choice of the next generation of queens to the colonies, as in nature. Wild populations surrounded by beekeeping activity could be preserved by allowing Darwinian beekeeping in a buffer zone between the wild and regular beekeeping area.
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Bila Dubaić J, Simonović S, Plećaš M, Stanisavljević L, Davidović S, Tanasković M, Ćetković A. Unprecedented Density and Persistence of Feral Honey Bees in Urban Environments of a Large SE-European City (Belgrade, Serbia). INSECTS 2021; 12:1127. [PMID: 34940215 PMCID: PMC8706874 DOI: 10.3390/insects12121127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
It is assumed that wild honey bees have become largely extinct across Europe since the 1980s, following the introduction of exotic ectoparasitic mite (Varroa) and the associated spillover of various pathogens. However, several recent studies reported on unmanaged colonies that survived the Varroa mite infestation. Herewith, we present another case of unmanaged, free-living population of honey bees in SE Europe, a rare case of feral bees inhabiting a large and highly populated urban area: Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. We compiled a massive data-set derived from opportunistic citizen science (>1300 records) during the 2011-2017 period and investigated whether these honey bee colonies and the high incidence of swarms could be a result of a stable, self-sustaining feral population (i.e., not of regular inflow of swarms escaping from local managed apiaries), and discussed various explanations for its existence. We also present the possibilities and challenges associated with the detection and effective monitoring of feral/wild honey bees in urban settings, and the role of citizen science in such endeavors. Our results will underpin ongoing initiatives to better understand and support naturally selected resistance mechanisms against the Varroa mite, which should contribute to alleviating current threats and risks to global apiculture and food production security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jovana Bila Dubaić
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.B.D.); (M.P.); (A.Ć.)
| | - Slađan Simonović
- SOS Mobile Team for Rescue and Removal of Honey Bee Swarms and Colonies, Koste Glavinića 12, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Milan Plećaš
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.B.D.); (M.P.); (A.Ć.)
| | - Ljubiša Stanisavljević
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.B.D.); (M.P.); (A.Ć.)
| | - Slobodan Davidović
- Department of Genetics of Populations and Ecogenotoxicology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia; (S.D.); (M.T.)
| | - Marija Tanasković
- Department of Genetics of Populations and Ecogenotoxicology, Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”—National Institute of the Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia; (S.D.); (M.T.)
| | - Aleksandar Ćetković
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski Trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (J.B.D.); (M.P.); (A.Ć.)
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Vierssen Trip N, MacPhail VJ, Colla SR, Olivastri B. Examining the public's awareness of bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidae: Anthophila) conservation in Canada. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Nyssa Vierssen Trip
- Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change York University Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Victoria J. MacPhail
- Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change York University Toronto Ontario Canada
| | - Sheila R. Colla
- Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change York University Toronto Ontario Canada
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Pacífico EC, Efstathion CA, Filadelfo T, Horsburgh R, Cunha RA, Paschotto FR, Denes FV, Gilardi J, Tella JL. Experimental removal of invasive Africanized honey bees increased breeding population size of the endangered Lear's macaw. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2020; 76:4141-4149. [PMID: 32569399 DOI: 10.1002/ps.5972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Invasive Africanized honey bees potentially compete with cavity-nesting birds in South America. However, the impacts of this competition and its conservation consequences to threatened species are poorly known. We quantified the presence of these bees and assessed their competition for cliff cavities used by nesting Lear's macaws Anodorhynchus leari, a globally endangered parrot endemic to the Caatinga biome of Brazil. We treated beehives with permethrin by shooting them with a crossbow bolt that distributed the compound upon impact. When feasible, we removed the comb and applied an insecticide (fipronil) to deter bee recolonization. We subsequently surveyed the macaw breeding population to verify whether our treatment allowed for nest recruitment in cavities previously occupied by bees. RESULTS We recorded > 100 beehives in the nesting cliffs. Hives outnumbered macaw nests tenfold in two areas recently recolonized by macaws. Cavities occupied by bees were significantly higher than those occupied by macaws, suggesting that macaws may be forced to breed in lower cavities. None of the untreated cavities (n = 50) were occupied by nesting macaws, whereas 15% of treated cavities (n = 52) were occupied within 2 years post treatment. Treated cavities occupied by macaws were significantly higher than those not occupied. Hive management increased macaw breeding population by 71% of the macaw breeding population increase. CONCLUSION Experimental hive treatments were effective in restoring nesting resources lost due to bee infestation. An intensive and continued eradication program is recommended to enhance macaw habitat restoration, facilitating its expansion into historical areas. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica C Pacífico
- Department of Conservation Biology, Doñana Biological Station, CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
- Grupo de Pesquisa e Conservação da arara-azul-de-lear, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - Thiago Filadelfo
- Grupo de Pesquisa e Conservação da arara-azul-de-lear, Bahia, Brazil
| | - Robert Horsburgh
- Avian Preservation and Education Conservancy, Jacksonville, Flórida, USA
| | - Roberta A Cunha
- Grupo de Pesquisa e Conservação da arara-azul-de-lear, Bahia, Brazil
| | | | - Francisco V Denes
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - James Gilardi
- World Parrot Trust, Travelers Rest, South Carolina, USA
| | - José L Tella
- Department of Conservation Biology, Doñana Biological Station, CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
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Henry M, Rodet G. The apiary influence range: A new paradigm for managing the cohabitation of honey bees and wild bee communities. ACTA OECOLOGICA-INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.actao.2020.103555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Requier F, Paillet Y, Laroche F, Rutschmann B, Zhang J, Lombardi F, Svoboda M, Steffan‐Dewenter I. Contribution of European forests to safeguard wild honeybee populations. Conserv Lett 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fabrice Requier
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, BiocenterUniversity of Würzburg Am Hubland Würzburg Germany
- Evolution Génome Comportement et Ecologie, CNRS, IRD, Université Paris‐SudUniversité Paris‐Saclay Gif‐sur‐Yvette Paris France
| | - Yoan Paillet
- Irstea, UR EFNODomaine des Barres Nogent‐sur‐Vernisson France
- Université Grenoble AlpesIrstea, LESSEM Grenoble France
| | - Fabien Laroche
- Irstea, UR EFNODomaine des Barres Nogent‐sur‐Vernisson France
| | - Benjamin Rutschmann
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, BiocenterUniversity of Würzburg Am Hubland Würzburg Germany
- HOBOSUniversity of Würzburg Würzburg Germany
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, BiocenterUniversity of Würzburg Am Hubland Würzburg Germany
| | - Fabio Lombardi
- Dipartimento di AgrariaUniversità Mediterranea di Reggio Calabria Reggio Calabria Italy
| | - Miroslav Svoboda
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood SciencesCzech University of Life Sciences Prague Suchdol Czech Republic
| | - Ingolf Steffan‐Dewenter
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, BiocenterUniversity of Würzburg Am Hubland Würzburg Germany
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