Australian research reveals that healthy bee colonies use chemical defenses from local flora to combat microbes, highlighting the importance of diverse landscapes for hive health.
Bee colonies use chemical defenses from local plants
A study in Australia has found that healthy bee colonies use chemical defenses derived from the plants in their surrounding environment to control harmful microbes. Researchers examined 24 honeybee colonies to understand how hives manage microbial threats.Hives are structured with specific functions
A hive is not a single location but a complex structure made of thousands of hexagonal wax cells. These cells serve as nurseries, storage areas, and entry points, with different sections managed by different types of bees, such as nurse bees caring for the brood and foragers collecting resources.Researchers tested hive materials for antimicrobial properties
The study collected samples from 24 colonies across five apiaries in New South Wales, including honey, propolis, pollen, wax, and bees. Using DNA sequencing and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, scientists mapped microbial communities and tested the materials’ ability to inhibit microorganisms.Hive defenses vary by location and material
Healthy hives do not rely on sterility but use targeted defenses in different areas. For instance, honey uses hydrogen peroxide, propolis uses flavonoids, and fermented pollen has short-chain acids. These defenses are distributed according to the hive’s structure and the materials available.Local flora determines hive chemical defenses
The study found that the chemical strength of hive materials depends more on the apiary's location than on the colony’s health or disease history. Bees forage within a few kilometers of their hive, so the diversity of local plants influences the range of chemical defenses available to the colony.Diverse landscapes support better bee health
As native vegetation is lost and landscapes become less diverse, bees lose access to a variety of plants that provide essential resources. Preserving diverse habitats around bee colonies could improve their health. This concept might also apply to other insects like ants and termites, which use environmental materials for their own antimicrobial defenses.
