scholarly journals Pollen Diet—Properties and Impact on a Bee Colony

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 798
Author(s):  
Maciej Sylwester Bryś ◽  
Patrycja Skowronek ◽  
Aneta Strachecka
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Royal Jelly ◽  
Humoral Response ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Phenol Oxidase ◽  
Bee Colony ◽  
Secretory Immunity ◽  
Single Flower ◽  
The Individual

Diet is an important factor in the proper development of the individual and the entire colony. A pollen diet affects honey bees in a number of ways. It can stimulate the number and type of hemocytes, the total number of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids, affect the histology of the middle intestine, and ensure the correct ontogenesis of the larvae. Moreover, selected single-flower diets can stimulate the development of the pharyngeal glands that produce royal jelly, thus conditioning the development of secretory immunity. Selected single-species pollen may also increase the phenol oxidase concentration, which contributes to the humoral response. A honey bee diet based on multi-flower pollen is more desirable than a mono-flower diet, but must be properly balanced.

scholarly journals Mitochondrial DNA Variation of Feral Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.) from Utah (USA)

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-232
Author(s):  
Dylan Cleary ◽  
Allen L. Szalanski ◽  
Clinton Trammel ◽  
Mary-Kate Williams ◽  
Amber Tripodi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Mitochondrial Dna ◽  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Dna Variation ◽  
Bee Colony ◽  
The Us ◽  
Coii Gene

Abstract A study was conducted on the mitochondrial DNA genetic diversity of feral colonies and swarms of Apis mellifera from ten counties in Utah by sequencing the intergenic region of the cytochrome oxidase (COI-COII) gene region. A total of 20 haplotypes were found from 174 honey bee colony samples collected from 2008 to 2017. Samples belonged to the A (African) (48%); C (Eastern Europe) (43%); M (Western Europe) (4%); and O (Oriental) lineages (5%). Ten African A lineage haplotypes were observed with two unique to Utah among A lineage haplotypes recorded in the US. Haplotypes belonging to the A lineage were observed from six Utah counties located in the southern portion of the State, from elevations as high as 1357 m. All five C lineage haplotypes that were found have been observed from queen breeders in the US. Three haplotypes of the M lineage (n=7) and two of the O lineage (n=9) were also observed. This study provides evidence that honey bees of African descent are both common and diverse in wild populations of honey bees in southern Utah. The high levels of genetic diversity of A lineage honey bee colonies in Utah provide evidence that the lineage may have been established in Utah before the introduction of A lineage honey bees from Brazil to Texas in 1990.

scholarly journals Transcriptional Control of Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Major Royal Jelly Proteins by 20-Hydroxyecdysone

Insects ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Winkler ◽  
Frank Sieg ◽  
Anja Buttstedt
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Juvenile Hormone ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Transcriptional Control ◽  
Royal Jelly ◽  
Adult Worker ◽  
Gene Expression Dynamics

One of the first tasks of worker honey bees (Apis mellifera) during their lifetime is to feed the larval offspring. In brief, young workers (nurse bees) secrete a special food jelly that contains a large amount of unique major royal jelly proteins (MRJPs). The regulation of mrjp gene expression is not well understood, but the large upregulation in well-fed nurse bees suggests a tight repression until, or a massive induction upon, hatching of the adult worker bees. The lipoprotein vitellogenin, the synthesis of which is regulated by the two systemic hormones 20-hydroxyecdysone and juvenile hormone, is thought to be a precursor for the production of MRJPs. Thus, the regulation of mrjp expression by the said systemic hormones is likely. This study focusses on the role of 20-hydroxyecdysone by elucidating its effect on mrjp gene expression dynamics. Specifically, we tested whether 20-hydroxyecdysone displayed differential effects on various mrjps. We found that the expression of the mrjps (mrjp1–3) that were finally secreted in large amounts into the food jelly, in particular, were down regulated by 20-hydroxyecdysone treatment, with mrjp3 showing the highest repression value.

scholarly journals Effects on Some Therapeutical, Biochemical, and Immunological Parameters of Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Exposed to Probiotic Treatments, in Field and Laboratory Conditions

Insects ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 638
Author(s):  
Ivana Tlak Gajger ◽  
Josipa Vlainić ◽  
Petra Šoštarić ◽  
Janez Prešern ◽  
Jernej Bubnič ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Immunological Parameters ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Sugar Syrup ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Field And Laboratory Conditions ◽  
Negative Factors ◽  
Bee Colonies

Several negative factors contribute to a decline in the number of insect pollinators. As a novel approach in therapy, we hypothesize that the EM® for bees could potentially have an important therapeutic and immunomodulatory effect on honey bee colonies. The aim of our study was to evaluate its impact on honey bees at the individual and colony level. This is the first appliance of the commercial probiotic mix EM® PROBIOTIC FOR BEES in honey bees as economically important social insects. The sugar syrup with 10% of probiotic was administered by spraying or feeding the honey bee colonies in the field conditions, in order to evaluate the infection levels with spores of Nosema spp. and colonies’ strength. Moreover, in laboratory-controlled conditions, in the hoarding cages, adult workers have been fed with sugar syrup supplemented with 2.5, 5, and 10% of EM® for bees for biochemical and immunological analyses of hemolymph, and with 5 and 10% for measuring the size of hypopharyngeal glands. It was found that following the EM® for bees administration the Nosema spp. spore counts in colonies were significantly reduced, and colonies’ strength was increased. The results at the individual level showed significant positive physiological changes in treated groups of adult bees, revealing at the same time a higher mortality rate when feeding sugar syrup supplemented with the probiotic.

SKIN TEST REACTIVITY TO BEE HIVE PRODUCTS (HONEY BEES, HONEY, ROYAL JELLY AND POLLEN)

2016 ◽  
Vol 78 (5-10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mai Shihah Abdullah ◽  
Nasuruddin Abdullah
Keyword(s):  
Skin Test ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Royal Jelly ◽  
Skin Testing ◽  
Positive Skin Prick Test ◽  
Positive Skin ◽  
Skin Test Reactivity ◽  
Bee Pollen ◽  
Allergen Extracts

Bee hive products such as honey bees, honey, royal jelly and pollen are widely consumed as a health supplement. There has been several cases of allergic reactions to bee hive products reported worldwide. Consumption of bee hive products is common among Malaysians, but the degree of its sensitization is not known. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of skin test reactivity to Apis mellifera, domesticated locally and the bee hive products such as honey bees, honey, royal jelly and pollen among a group of volunteers. Four types of honey collected from different locations with different plant sources; one sample of imported honey from Australia, one sample of royal jelly, four different sources of bee pollen, and honey bee derivatives were used to prepare allergen extracts for skin testing. 2522 volunteers were skin tested to these allergen extracts. 271 (10.75%) of the subjects had a positive skin prick test result to at least one honey bee derivative or bee hive product allergen. Individuals with skin test positivity to honey bee are most likely to be sensitized to bee pollen followed by honey and royal jelly. Skin test reactivity to honey bee and bee hive products is prevailed to be high in Malaysia. This study has proven that bee hive products sensitization individuals are mostly to be also sensitized to honey bees. Therefore, is recommended these allergens to be included in the skin prick panel

Reduction of tracheal mite parasitism of honey bees by swarming

1991 ◽  
Vol 331 (1260) ◽  
pp. 123-129 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Acarapis Woodi ◽  
Brood Rearing ◽  
Bee Colony ◽  
Tracheal Mite ◽  
Mite Density ◽  
Theoretical Considerations

Based on population dynamics, tracheal mite ( Acarapis woodi ) parasitism of colonies of honey bees ( Apis mellifera ) appears to be, potentially at least, regulatory and stable. Empirical and theoretical considerations suggest, however, that intracolony population dynamics of mite-honey bee worker seem to be unstable in managed situations where honey bee worker population is allowed to grow unchecked. Experimental studies showed that tracheal mite population levels increased in a managed honey bee colony but were impaired in one in which brood rearing was interrupted by loss of the queen. Mite densities but not prevalence were lowered in experimental swarms kept from rearing brood. We propose that swarming reduces mite density within a colony, therefore implicating modern techniques of hive management in the sudden historical appearance of the mite on the Isle of Wight.

scholarly journals Nutritional Effect of Alpha-Linolenic Acid on Honey Bee Colony Development (Apis Mellifera L.)

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (2) ◽  
pp. 63-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lanting Ma ◽  
Ying Wang ◽  
Xiaobo Hang ◽  
Hongfang Wang ◽  
Weiren Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Linolenic Acid ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Basal Diet ◽  
The Other ◽  
Colony Development ◽  
Alpha Linolenic Acid ◽  
Bee Colony ◽  
Nutritional Effect

AbstractAlpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), influences honey bee feed intake and longevity. The objective of this study was to research the effect of six dietary ALA levels on the growth and development of Apis mellifera ligustica colonies. In the early spring, a total of 36 honey bee colonies of equal size and queen quality were randomly allocated into 6 groups. The six groups of honey bees were fed a basal diet with supplementation of ALA levels at 0 (group A), 2 (group B), 4 (group C), 6 (group D), 8 (group E), and 10% (group F). In this study, there were significant effects of pollen substitute ALA levels on the feeding amounts of the bee colony, colony population, sealed brood amount, and weight of newly emerged workers (P<0.05). The workers’ midgut Lipase (LPS) activity of group C was significantly lower than that of the other groups (P<0.01). The worker bees in groups B, C, and D had significantly longer lifespans than those in the other groups (P<0.05). However, when the diets had ALA concentrations of more than 6%, the mortality of the honey bees increased (P<0.01). These results indicate that ALA levels of 2 ~ 4% of the pollen substitute were optimal for maintaining the highest reproductive performance and the digestion and absorption of fatty acids in honey bees during the period of spring multiplication. Additionally, ALA levels of 2 ~ 6% of the pollen substitute, improved worker bee longevity.

scholarly journals Development of Apis cerana District Extractor with innovation of Machinery and Pest control in Kumelembuai Village

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 147-156
Author(s):  
Joice J.I. Rompas ◽  
Betsy Agustina Naomi Pinaria ◽  
Ventje V. Memah
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Royal Jelly ◽  
Apis Cerana ◽  
Cane Sugar ◽  
Bee Venom ◽  
Good Effect ◽  
North Sulawesi ◽  
The Village

This study aims to: 1). Knowing the development of Apis Cerana Honey BeesF.with extractor engine innovation 2). Control of pests that attack honey bees 3). Obtain products from honeybeesApis Cerana F.produced 4). Predict to what extent the quantity and quality of royal jelly products Apis cerana F.produced in the development of beekeeping in North Sulawesi, especially Kumelembuai Village, South Minahasa Regency. This research is expected to develop beekeeping in North Sulawesi, specifically the local bee Apis cerana in Kumelembuai Village. The benefits obtained from beekeeping development activities include increasing the income and nutritional quality of the community from beekeeping products such as honey, pollen, royal jelly, beeswax, propolis, bee venom. Conservation of natural resources, honey bees play an important role in helping the process of pollinating plants, in addition to beekeeping activities can also increase public awareness to participate in conservation efforts. North Sulawesi, especially in the village of Kumelembuai, can be developed using the methodqueen rearing best because it has bright prospects for cultivation in North Sulawesi. Honey bee cultivation is very profitable, in addition to increasing agricultural production (crop yields) and producing products from beesApis cerana namely honey, royal jelly, tepung sari, propolis, wax, bee venom which can all be utilized for human welfare. A number of studies have been carried out by various parties who feel an interest in the development of beekeeping, but the research conducted is still partial and limited to one or two environmental components, not integrated yet. It is hoped that this research can produce the best methods for developing beekeeping in the North Sulawesi kumelembu village. The research location will be conducted in the village of Kumelembuai, South Minahasa regency, North Sulawesi. Laboratory analysis is focused on the content of royal jelly products produced by honey bees Apis cerana F. Based on the results of data analysis and discussion in this study are as follows. 1. Research of the four methods namely Supersedure, Emergency cell, Miller and Doolittle produce superior methods, namely the method Emergency cell. 2. In the methodemergency cell artificial feeds provide queen cell formation and productionroyal jelly with a composition of 100 grams of sugar and 200 grams of water both cane sugar and palm sugar are higher than other treatments, although not significantly different. 3. Artificial feed with a composition of 200 grams of cane sugar and 200 grams of water gives a good effect on the fat content of royal jelly Apis cerana in the method emergency cell. 4. Product of royal jelly as a result of panelist evaluationin this study showed that the preferred odor was not pungent, slightly acidic and sticky taste on the tongue and the white color of the product of royal jelly honey bee Apis cerana

scholarly journals Remembrances of a Honey Bee Biologist

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas D. Seeley
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Collective Intelligence ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Bee Colony ◽  
Decision Making Unit ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Honey Bee Colony

Thomas Seeley's research has focused on analyzing the collective intelligence and natural lives of honey bees. This account describes how the author encountered honey bees as a boy and became a beekeeper; how he switched his career path from medicine to biology to study the behavior and social life of honey bees; and how he focuses on understanding how a honey bee colony functions when it lives in the wild, rather than in a beekeeper's hive. He has shown how a honey bee colony works as a single decision-making unit to adaptively allocate its foragers among flower patches and to choose its nesting site in a hollow tree. These findings buttress the view that, in some social insect species, the colony is a group-level vehicle of gene survival. Beyond his research, he has written three books to synthesize these findings for biologists and share these discoveries with beekeepers. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Entomology, Volume 67 is January 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

scholarly journals Multi-tiered Analyses of Honey Bees That Resist or Succumb to Parasitic Mites and Viruses

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel B. Weaver ◽  
Brandi L. Cantarel ◽  
Christine Elsik ◽  
Dawn L. Lopez ◽  
Jay Evans
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Host Responses ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Pollination Services ◽  
Deformed Wing Virus ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Parasitic Mites

Abstract Background Varroa destructor mites, and the numerous viruses they vector to their honey bee hosts, are among the most serious threats to honey bee populations, causing mortality and morbidity to both the individual honey bee and colony, the negative effects of which convey to the pollination services provided by honey bees worldwide. Here we use a combination of targeted assays and deep RNA sequencing to determine host and microbial changes in resistant and susceptible honey bee lineages. We focus on three study sets. The first involves field sampling of sympatric western bees, some derived from resistant stock and some from stock susceptible to mites. The second experiment contrasts three colonies more deeply, two from susceptible stock from the southeastern U.S. and one from mite-resistant bee stock from Eastern Texas. Finally, to decouple the effects of mites from those of the viruses they vector, we experimentally expose honey bees to DWV in the laboratory, measuring viral growth and host responses. Results We find strong differences between resistant and susceptible bees in terms of both viral loads and bee gene expression. Interestingly, lineages of bees with naturally low levels of the mite-vectored Deformed wing virus, also carried lower levels of viruses not vectored by mites. By mapping gene expression results against current ontologies and other studies, we describe the impacts of mite parasitism, as well as viruses on bee health against two genetic backgrounds. We identify numerous genes and processes seen in other studies of stress and disease in honey bee colonies, though we find novel genes and new patterns of expression too. Conclusions We provide evidence that honey bees surviving in the face of parasitic mites do so through their abilities to resist the presence of devastating viruses vectored by these mites. By revealing responses to viral infection and mite parasitism in different lineages, our data identify candidate proteins for the evolution of mite tolerance and virus resistance.

scholarly journals Age-Dependent Honey Bee Appetite Regulation Is Mediated by Trehalose and Octopamine Baseline Levels

Insects ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 863
Author(s):  
İrem Akülkü ◽  
Saleh Ghanem ◽  
Elif Filiztekin ◽  
Guntima Suwannapong ◽  
Christopher Mayack
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bee ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Appetite Regulation ◽  
Feedback Mechanisms ◽  
Age Dependent ◽  
Energetic State ◽  
Baseline Levels ◽  
The Individual ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Higher Sensitivity

There are multiple feedback mechanisms involved in appetite regulation, which is an integral part of maintaining energetic homeostasis. Older forager honey bees, in comparison to newly emerged bees and nurse bees, are known to have highly fluctuating hemolymph trehalose levels, higher appetite changes due to starvation, and higher octopamine levels in the brain. What remains unknown is if the hemolymph trehalose and octopamine levels interact with one another and how this varies as the bee ages. We manipulated trehalose and octopamine levels across age using physiological injections and found that nurse and forager bees increase their appetite levels due to increased octopamine levels in the brain. This is further enhanced by lower trehalose levels in the hemolymph. Moreover, nurse bees with high octopamine levels in the brain and low trehalose levels had the same appetite levels as untreated forager bees. Our findings suggest that the naturally higher levels of octopamine as the bee ages may result in higher sensitivity to fluctuating trehalose levels in the hemolymph that results in a more direct way of assessing the energetic state of the individual. Consequently, forager bees have a mechanism for more precise regulation of appetite in comparison to newly emerged and nurse bees.

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