Diet Supplementation Helps Honey Bee Colonies in Combat Infections by Enhancing their Hygienic Behaviour

Abstract

The hygienic behavior in honey bees is a complex polygenic trait that serves as a natural defense mechanism against bacterial and fungal brood diseases and Varroa destructor mites infesting brood cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a dietary amino acids and vitamins supplement “BEEWELL AminoPlus” on hygienic behavior of Apis mellifera colonies combating microsporidial and viral infections. The experiment was performed during a one-year period on 40 colonies alloted to five groups: one supplemented and infected with Nosema ceranae and four viruses (Deformed wing virus - DWV, Acute bee paralysis virus - ABPV, Chronic bee paralysis virus - CBPV and Sacbrood virus – SBV), three not supplemented, but infected with N. ceranae and/ or viruses, and one negative control group. Beside the l isted pathogens, honey bee trypanosomatids were also monitored in all groups. The supplement “BEEWELL AminoPlus” induced a significant and consistent increase of the hygienic behavior in spite of the negative effects of N. ceranae and viral infections. N. ceranae and viruses significantly and consistently decreased hygienic behavior, but also threatened the survival of bee colonies. The tested supplement showed anti-Nosema effect, since the N. ceranae infection level significantly and consistently declined only in the supplemented group. Among infected groups, only the supplemented one remained Lotmaria passim-free throughout the study. In conclusion, diet supplementation enhances hygienic behavior of honey bee colonies and helps them fight the most common infections of honey bees.

Contact varroacidal efficacy of lithium citrate and its influence on viral loads, immune parameters and oxidative stress of honey bees in a field experiment

“…These results are in agreement with the report of Highfield et al (2009) that DWV may persist independently of Varroa infestations. Besides, in spreading viral infections, other factors, such as virus contamination of food, virulence of the DWV and ABPV, horizontal transfer of infection from bee to bee, could also play roles ( de Miranda et al, 2011 ; Locke et al, 2012 ; Stanimirović et al, 2019 ; Stanimirovic et al, 2022a ). Another explanation of the significant increase in ABPV and DWV level in our study could be related with recorded changes in the expression levels of some immune-related genes.…”

“…The honey bee mite V. destructor (Acari: Varroidae), is considered the most damaging parasite of the honey bee A. mellifera L. ( Carreck et al, 2010 ; Guzmán-Novoa et al, 2010 ; Le Conte et al, 2010 ; Jack and Ellis 2021 ). Being distributed nearly all around the world, Varroa is the leading cause of honey bee colony weakening and loss ( Genersch et al, 2010 ; Rosenkranz et al, 2010 ; Stanimirović et al, 2019 , 2022a ; Noël et al, 2020 ; Traynor et al, 2020 ; Boncristiani et al, 2021 ). As an obligate ectoparasite of A. mellifera bees, Varroa causes serious health problems of the host due to feeding on the fat body and haemolymph of adult and developing honey bees ( Rosenkranz et al, 2010 ; Ramsey et al, 2019 ) and the role of mechanical or biological vector of pathogene microorganisms, especially viruses, with a potencial to exacerbate preexisting infections ( Genersch and Aubert, 2010 ; Glavinić et al, 2014 ; McMenamin and Genersch 2015 ; Noël et al, 2020 ; Traynor et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Finally, the use of one strategy/method does not provide a permanent solution, so it is necessary to combine several strategies in order to achieve adequate results in Varroa combat. For example, diet supplements may indirectly contribute in Varroa control by enhancing hygienic behaviour ( Stanimirovic et al, 2022a ) that reflected in successful reduction of viral infections. New substances have been continuously sought for decades in order to find those that will exhibit high varroacidal efficacy at low doses/concentrations, without side effects on bees ( Stanimirović et al, 2019 ; Jack and Ellis 2021 ).…”

Oxidative status of honey bees infected with Nosema ceranae microsporidium and supplemented with Agaricus bisporus mushroom extract

“…There are few countries in the world where fumagillin is registered for use, and it is worth looking for some alternatives in the fight against nosemosis. Many studies have been conducted and proved that dietary supplements can exert an immunostimulating and/ or immunoprotective effect as well as other beneficial effects (Jovanovic et al, 2021;Stanimirovic et al, 2022). It has been demonstrated that adding vitamin C to the winter bee diet has some protective effect, particularly against diseases where oxidative stress is a major factor (Farjan et al, 2012), that caffeine can reduce the harmful effect of pesticides (Balieira et al, 2018), and that Agaricus blazei and Agaricus bisporus extracts increase the expression of most immune-related genes (Glavinic et al, 2021a, b).…”

Genotoxic Potential of Thymol on Honey Bee DNA in the Comet Assay

“…Numerous acaricides are available for the treatment of Varroa mites ranging from synthetic, or “hard”, to naturally derived, or “soft”, agents [ 1 , 9 ]. The major disadvantages of synthetic acaricides are their toxic side effects on bee colonies and the occurrence of chemical residues in bees and their products [ 10 , 11 , 12 ]. Accumulation of acaricide residues in wax and other bee products may accelerate the development of resistance to V. destructor , due to prolonged exposure of parasites to low doses of acaricides [ 1 ].…”