With the right support, honey bees can recover after their microbiome has been disrupted by illness or treatment. This delicate community of beneficial microorganisms play a vital role in digestion, immunity and overall bee health. Whether the imbalance is caused by necessary antibiotics like Fumagillin-B®, or by parasites like Nosema spp., bees can become more vulnerable to infections or nutritional stress. Ensuring they have what they need to rebuild their microbiome is crucial for keeping colonies strong.
Bee Strong: Return of the Healthy Gut
Dysbiosis, an imbalance in the gut microbiome, can have serious consequences for honey bee health. Antibiotics such as oxytetracycline and fumagillin, while sometimes necessary, have been shown to reduce core bacteria like Bifidobacteria, weakening the immune system and increasing susceptibility to pathogens 1. Recovery from dysbiosis requires active support to help bees rebuild their microbial balance, often through nutrition. Bees need a well-rounded and diverse diet to maintain gut stability and reduce the risk of infections, like Nosema ceranae 2.
One way to support recovery after disruption to the gut microbiome is by using probiotics. Probiotics are live bacteria or yeasts that help restore the gut microbiota and promote gut health. They work by increasing populations of beneficial microbes and suppressing pathogens and are often used to treat dysbiosis caused by disease or antibiotic exposure 3. In honey bees, commonly used probiotics are lactic acid bacteria, Bifidobacteria and Bacillus species, which are all microorganisms that are naturally found in a heathy bee gut 4. These probiotics have been incorporated into beekeeping as a strategy to help prevent microbial infections 4.
Figure 1: Honey Bee on a Flower (ATTTA©, 2020).
Prebiotics are another tool for promoting gut health. These are non-digestible substrates that microbes can utilize to increase growth in the gut 3. In honey bees, prebiotics are mainly carbohydrates that have oligosaccharides and fibers to help restore microbial balance after being disturbed 3. Inulin is a type of prebiotic that supports honey bee gut health by promoting the growth of one of the core bacteria, Bifidobacterium 3. However, it is important to note that poorly chosen combinations of prebiotics and probiotics can worsen bee health, so it is always important that these additives should be carefully selected and used appropriately 3.
Figure 2: Forager Honey Bees with Pollen (ATTTA©, 2022)
Another important way to help bees maintain
a healthy microbiome is by providing good quality nutrition. This can be achieved
by ensuring bees have access to a diverse and abundant range of forage.
Gathering pollen from multiple floral sources increases the likelihood that
bees receive all essential nutrients 5 . Hives used for pollination
may face nutritional challenges if the surrounding landscape offers limited
pollen variety, leading to nutritional stress 4. This shortage of
diverse pollen can also occur during drought conditions. Meeting the colony’s full
nutritional needs can significantly benefit gut health!
Connecting with ATTTA Specialists
If you’d like to connect with ATTTA specialists or learn more about our program, you can:
visit our website at https://www.perennia.ca/portfolio-items/honey-bees/
Email attta@perennia.ca
References:
1.
Mustar, S. and Ibrahim, N.,
2022. A sweeter pill to swallow: A review of honey bees and honey as a source
of probiotic and prebiotic products. Foods, 11(14),
p.2102.
2.
Motta, E.V. and
Moran, N.A., 2024. The honeybee microbiota and its impact on health and
disease. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 22(3),
pp.122-137.
3.
Ptaszyńska, A.A., Borsuk, G.,
Zdybicka-Barabas, A., Cytryńska, M. and Małek, W., 2016. Are commercial
probiotics and prebiotics effective in the treatment and prevention of honeybee
nosemosis C?. Parasitology research, 115, pp.397-406.
4.
Tsuruda, J.M., Chakrabarti, P.
and Sagili, R.R., 2021. Honey bee nutrition. Veterinary Clinics of
North America: Food Animal Practice, 37(3), pp.505-519.
5.
Brodschneider, R. and
Crailsheim, K., 2010. Nutrition and health in honey bees. Apidologie, 41(3),
pp.278-294.