1
|
Anjum SI, Ullah A, Gohar F, Raza G, Khan MI, Hameed M, Ali A, Chen CC, Tlak Gajger I. Bee pollen as a food and feed supplement and a therapeutic remedy: recent trends in nanotechnology. Front Nutr 2024; 11:1371672. [PMID: 38899322 PMCID: PMC11186459 DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2024.1371672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Pollen grains are the male reproductive part of the flowering plants. It is collected by forager honey bees and mixed with their salivary secretions, enzymes, and nectar, which form fermented pollen or "bee bread" which is stored in cells of wax honeycombs. Bee pollen (BP) is a valuable apitherapeutic product and is considered a nutritional healthy food appreciated by natural medicine from ancient times. Recently, BP has been considered a beneficial food supplement and a value-added product that contains approximately 250 different bioactive components. It contains numerous beneficial elements such as Mg, Ca, Mn, K, and phenolic compounds. BP possesses strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiviral, analgesic, immunostimulant, neuroprotective, anti-cancer, and hepatoprotective properties. It is used for different purposes for the welfare of mankind. Additionally, there is a growing interest in honey bee products harvesting and utilizing for many purposes as a natural remedy and nutritive function. In this review, the impacts of BP on different organisms in different ways by highlighting its apitherapeutic efficacy are described.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Syed Ishtiaq Anjum
- Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Amjad Ullah
- Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
- Department of Plant Protection, Ministry of National Food Security and Research, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Faryal Gohar
- Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Ghulam Raza
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Baltistan, Skardu, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ilyas Khan
- Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Mehwish Hameed
- Department of Zoology, Kohat University of Science and Technology, Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Abid Ali
- Department of Zoology, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
| | - Chien-Chin Chen
- Department of Pathology, Ditmanson Medical Foundation Chia-Yi Christian Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
- Department of Cosmetic Science, Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science, Tainan, Taiwan
- Ph.D. Program in Translational Medicine, Rong Hsing Research Center for Translational Medicine, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioindustry Sciences, College of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Biotechnology Center, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ivana Tlak Gajger
- Department for Biology and Pathology of Fish and Bees, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kim H, Frunze O, Lee JH, Kwon HW. Enhancing Honey Bee Health: Evaluating Pollen Substitute Diets in Field and Cage Experiments. INSECTS 2024; 15:361. [PMID: 38786917 PMCID: PMC11122370 DOI: 10.3390/insects15050361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) play vital roles as agricultural pollinators and honey producers. However, global colony losses are increasing due to multiple stressors, including malnutrition. Our study evaluated the effects of four pollen substitute diets (Diet 1, Diet 2, Diet 3, and Control) through field and cage experiments, analyzing 11 parameters and 21 amino acids. Notably, Diet 1 demonstrated significantly superior performance in the field experiment, including the number of honey bees, brood area, consumption, preference, colony weight, and honey production. In the cage experiment, Diet 1 also showed superior performance in dried head and thorax weight and vitellogenin (vg) gene expression levels. Canonical discriminant and principle component analyses highlighted Diet 1's distinctiveness, with histidine, diet digestibility, consumption, vg gene expression levels, and isoleucine identified as key factors. Arginine showed significant correlations with a wide range of parameters, including the number of honey bees, brood area, and consumption, with Diet 1 exhibiting higher levels. Diet 1, containing apple juice, soytide, and Chlorella as additive components, outperformed the other diets, suggesting an enhanced formulation for pollen substitute diets. These findings hold promise for the development of more effective diets, potentially contributing to honey bee health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hyunjee Kim
- Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea; (H.K.); (O.F.)
| | - Olga Frunze
- Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea; (H.K.); (O.F.)
| | - Jeong-Hyeon Lee
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea;
| | - Hyung-Wook Kwon
- Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea; (H.K.); (O.F.)
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea;
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Lyu B, Wang S, Wyckhuys KAG, Liu Z. Biological pest control protects pollinators. Science 2023; 380:251. [PMID: 37079695 DOI: 10.1126/science.adh3467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Baoqian Lyu
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management of Tropical Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Haikou, Hainan 571101, China
| | - Shuchang Wang
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management of Tropical Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Haikou, Hainan 571101, China
| | - Kris A G Wyckhuys
- Chrysalis Consulting, Danang, Vietnam
- Institute for Plant Protection, China Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Saint Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Zhuo Liu
- Environment and Plant Protection Institute, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management of Tropical Crops, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Haikou, Hainan 571101, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kagiali E, Kokoli M, Vardakas P, Goras G, Hatjina F, Patalano S. Four-Year Overview of Winter Colony Losses in Greece: Citizen Science Evidence That Transitioning to Organic Beekeeping Practices Reduces Colony Losses. INSECTS 2023; 14:193. [PMID: 36835762 PMCID: PMC9963079 DOI: 10.3390/insects14020193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The honey bee is one of the most important pollinators with a close relationship to humans. The questionnaire from the non-governmental association "COLOSS", answered by beekeepers around the world, is a valuable tool for monitoring and analyzing factors involved in overwintering losses, as well as for understanding the evolution of the beekeeping sector over the years. Between 2018-2021, Greece's participation in this survey involved collecting data from 752 beekeepers and 81,903 hives, from almost the whole country, with a stable balance between professional/non-professional participants and hives, providing a solid representation of the beekeeping practices and winter losses during this period. The results of this study identify a transition towards more natural beekeeping practices concomitant with a significant decrease in winter losses (average losses in 2018: 22.3% and 2019: 24%, dropped in 2020: 14.4% and 2021: 15.3%). Indeed, some factors, such as the increased use of natural landscapes for honey production (from 66.7% usage in 2018 to 76.3% in 2021) and the reduction in the exclusive use of synthetic acaricides (from 24.7% usage in 2018 to 6.7% in 2021) seem to have a significant impact on hive survival. Although these correlations remain to be confirmed experimentally, our study shows that Greek beekeepers follow recommendations and policies toward more sustainable practices. In the future, these trends could be further analyzed and integrated into training programs to strengthen the cooperation and information exchange between citizens and science.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Kagiali
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research (IFBR), Biomedical Sciences Research Center (BSRC) “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Vari, Greece
- Laboratory of Sericulture and Apiculture, Department of Crop Science, School of Plant Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Kokoli
- Department of Cell Biology and Biophysics, Faculty of Biology, University of Athens, Panepistimiopolis, 15701 Athens, Greece
| | - Philippos Vardakas
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research (IFBR), Biomedical Sciences Research Center (BSRC) “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Vari, Greece
- Department of Apiculture, Institute of Animal Science ELGO ‘DIMITRA’, 11145 Nea Moudania, Greece
| | - Georgios Goras
- Laboratory of Sericulture and Apiculture, Department of Crop Science, School of Plant Sciences, Agricultural University of Athens, 11855 Athens, Greece
| | - Fani Hatjina
- Department of Apiculture, Institute of Animal Science ELGO ‘DIMITRA’, 11145 Nea Moudania, Greece
| | - Solenn Patalano
- Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research (IFBR), Biomedical Sciences Research Center (BSRC) “Alexander Fleming”, 16672 Vari, Greece
- Department of Apiculture, Institute of Animal Science ELGO ‘DIMITRA’, 11145 Nea Moudania, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Tissier ML, Kraus S, Gómez-Moracho T, Lihoreau M. Supplementation in vitamin B3 counteracts the negative effects of tryptophan deficiencies in bumble bees. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coac084. [PMID: 36726865 PMCID: PMC9871438 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coac084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Increasing evidence highlights the importance of diet content in nine essential amino acids for bee physiological and behavioural performance. However, the 10th essential amino acid, tryptophan, has been overlooked as its experimental measurement requires a specific hydrolysis. Tryptophan is the precursor of serotonin and vitamin B3, which together modulate cognitive and metabolic functions in most animals. Here, we investigated how tryptophan deficiencies influence the behaviour and survival of bumble bees (Bombus terrestris). Tryptophan-deficient diets led to a moderate increase in food intake, aggressiveness and mortality compared with the control diet. Vitamin B3 supplementation in tryptophan-deficient diets tended to buffer these effects by significantly improving survival and reducing aggressiveness. Considering that the pollens of major crops and common plants, such as corn and dandelion, are deficient in tryptophan, these effects could have a strong impact on bumble bee populations and their pollination service. Our results suggest planting tryptophan and B3 rich species next to tryptophan-deficient crops could support wild bee populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M L Tissier
- Corresponding author: Biological Sciences, Bishop’s University, 2600 Rue College, Québec J1M 1Z7, Canada.
| | - S Kraus
- Research Center on Animal Cognition, Center for Integrative Biology; CNRS, University Paul Sabatier, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - T Gómez-Moracho
- Research Center on Animal Cognition, Center for Integrative Biology; CNRS, University Paul Sabatier, 31062 Toulouse, France
| | - M Lihoreau
- Research Center on Animal Cognition, Center for Integrative Biology; CNRS, University Paul Sabatier, 31062 Toulouse, France
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Stoner KA, Nurse A, Koethe RW, Hatala MS, Lehmann DM. Where Does Honey Bee ( Apis mellifera L.) Pollen Come from? A Study of Pollen Collected from Colonies at Ornamental Plant Nurseries. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13080744. [PMID: 36005369 PMCID: PMC9409349 DOI: 10.3390/insects13080744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Ornamental nursery plants are both a major agricultural industry in the U.S. and a major feature of the urban and suburban landscape. Interest in their relationship with pollinators is two-fold: the extent to which they provide a nutritional benefit to pollinators, and the extent to which they have the potential to harm pollinators by exposing them to pesticide residues in nectar and pollen. We identified plant genera as sources of trapped pollen collected by honey bee colonies located at commercial ornamental plant nurseries in Connecticut in 2015 and 2018 and quantified the percentage of pollen volume collected from each genus for each weekly sample over two seasons. Plant genera grown at these nurseries, particularly Rosa, Rhus, and Ilex, contributed substantially to pollen volume during weeks 23-27 of the year. Among the genera not grown in nurseries, Toxicodendron was also important during weeks 23 and 24, and Trifolium was important in both frequency and quantity throughout the season. Zea was a major component of pollen volume from weeks 28-36 in both sites, even though cropland was not over 11% of land cover at either site.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrea Nurse
- Climate Change Institute, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469, USA
| | - Robert W. Koethe
- Region 1 Office, Land, Chemicals and Redevelopment Division RCRA, UST and Pesticides Section, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Boston, MA 27711, USA
| | | | - David M. Lehmann
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Health and Environmental Effects Assessment Division, Integrated Health Assessment Branch, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, Durham, NC 27711, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Quesada-Béjar V, Contreras-Garduño J, Calvillo LKA, García EC. Survival, Body Condition, and Immune System of Apis mellifera liguistica Fed Avocado, Maize, and Polyfloral Pollen Diet. NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 51:583-592. [PMID: 35708899 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-022-00974-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nutritional stress is the major factor contributing to decline in the honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) populations given the high degree of dependence on floral resources, and due to the habitat loss. In this sense, monocultures of maize and avocado have great extensions in Mexico, but their impact on the physiology and morphology of A. mellifera is unknown. This research evaluated the effect of total protein content in monofloral (maize or avocado pollen diets) and polyfloral (using five types of pollen: Persea americana Mill., Zea mays L., Melampodium perfoliatum Cav., Drymaria villosa Cham Schltdl., and Lopezia racemosa Cav.) on their survival, body condition (controlled density, head mass, and development of hypopharyngeal glands; protein content in hemolymph), and immune response [lytic activity and activity of prophenoloxidase in the hemolymph (proPO)]. Corbicular pollen of P. americana had the highest protein content, followed by the corbicular pollen of Z. mays, M. perfoliatum, D. villosa, and L. racemosa. Polyfloral diet seems to be better for A. mellifera than the monofloral maize and avocado. Bees fed polyfloral pollen diet showed a high content of protein in the hemolymph in comparison with that fed maize or avocado pollen diets. Bees fed polyfloral and avocado pollen diet had the highest lytic activity but showed a decrease in proPO activity. In conclusion, polyfloral diets seem to be better for A. mellifera than the monofloral maize and avocado.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Venecia Quesada-Béjar
- Facultad de Agrobiología, Univ Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Uruapan, Michoacán, México.
| | - Jorge Contreras-Garduño
- Escuela Nacional de Estudios Superiores, Univ Autónoma de México, Morelia, Michoacán, México
| | - L Karina Adame Calvillo
- Facultad de Agrobiología, Univ Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Uruapan, Michoacán, México
| | - Eduardo Cuevas García
- Facultad de Biología, Univ Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, México
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Castle D, Alkassab AT, Bischoff G, Steffan-Dewenter I, Pistorius J. High nutritional status promotes vitality of honey bees and mitigates negative effects of pesticides. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:151280. [PMID: 34755614 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Honey bee health is affected by multiple stressors, such as the exposure to plant protection products (PPPs), dietary limitation, monofloral diets and pressure of diseases and pathogens and their interactions. Here, we analysed the interacting effects of plant protection products and low nutritional pollen source on honey bee health under semi-field conditions. We established a healthy honey bee colony in each of 24 tents, planted either with monofloral maize, maize with a diverse flower strip or with monofloral Phacelia tanacetifolia. To evaluate the interaction between exposure to PPPs and nutritional status, a mixture of the insecticide thiacloprid and the fungicide prochloraz was applied. For each colony, we investigated brood capping rate as well as adult longevity, body and head weight, and enzyme activity of acetylcholinesterase and P450 reductase of newly hatched worker bees. We found a significant reduced capping rate in treated maize compared to flowering strips and Phacelia, but no interaction effect between pesticide treatment and nutritional status on capping rate. The response to treatment on the longevity of adults differed significantly between maize and Phacelia, with flower strips being intermediate, indicating interaction effects of PPP treatment and low pollen quality in maize compared to Phacelia and flowering strip treatments. Head weight of newly hatched worker bees showed significant interaction of nutritional status and treatment of PPPs. PPPs slightly increased body weight in all nutritional statuses, except for Phacelia. Enzyme activity of acetylcholinesterase and P450 reductase showed significant different responses between maize and Phacelia to PPP exposure, but not between maize and flowering strip. Our results support the hypothesis that higher pollen quality promotes development of larvae and pupae, longevity of adults and detoxification of PPPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Denise Castle
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Bee Protection, Messeweg 11/12, Braunschweig, Germany; University of Würzburg, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, Am Hubland, Würzburg, Germany.
| | - Abdulrahim T Alkassab
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Bee Protection, Messeweg 11/12, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Gabriela Bischoff
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Bee Protection, Königin-Luise-Straße 19, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ingolf Steffan-Dewenter
- University of Würzburg, Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology, Biocenter, Am Hubland, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jens Pistorius
- Julius Kühn Institute (JKI), Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Bee Protection, Messeweg 11/12, Braunschweig, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Nutritive Value of 11 Bee Pollen Samples from Major Floral Sources in Taiwan. Foods 2021; 10:foods10092229. [PMID: 34574339 PMCID: PMC8469103 DOI: 10.3390/foods10092229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Bee pollen is a nutrient-rich food that meets the nutritional requirements of honey bees and supports human health. This study aimed to provide nutritive composition data for 11 popular bee pollen samples (Brassica napus (Bn), Bidens pilosa var. radiata (Bp), Camellia sinensis (Cs), Fraxinus griffithii (Fg), Prunus mume (Pm), Rhus chinensis var. roxburghii (Rc), Bombax ceiba (Bc), Hylocereus costaricensis (Hc), Liquidambar formosana (Lf), Nelumbo nucifera (Nn), and Zea mays (Zm)) in Taiwan for the global bee pollen database. Macronutrients, such as carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids, were analyzed, which revealed that Bp had the highest carbohydrate content of 78.8 g/100 g dry mass, Bc had the highest protein content of 32.2 g/100 g dry mass, and Hc had the highest lipid content of 8.8 g/100 g dry mass. Only the bee pollen Hc completely met the minimum requirements of essential amino acids for bees and humans, and the other bee pollen samples contained at least 1-3 different limiting essential amino acids, i.e., methionine, tryptophan, histidine, valine, and isoleucine. Regarding the fatty acid profile of bee pollen samples, palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), oleic acid (C18:1), linoleic acid (C18:2), and linolenic acid (C18:3) were predominant fatty acids that accounted for 66.0-97.4% of total fatty acids. These data serve as an indicator of the nutritional quality and value of the 11 bee pollen samples.
Collapse
|
10
|
Horn J, Becher MA, Johst K, Kennedy PJ, Osborne JL, Radchuk V, Grimm V. Honey bee colony performance affected by crop diversity and farmland structure: a modeling framework. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2021; 31:e02216. [PMID: 32810342 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Forage availability has been suggested as one driver of the observed decline in honey bees. However, little is known about the effects of its spatiotemporal variation on colony success. We present a modeling framework for assessing honey bee colony viability in cropping systems. Based on two real farmland structures, we developed a landscape generator to design cropping systems varying in crop species identity, diversity, and relative abundance. The landscape scenarios generated were evaluated using the existing honey bee colony model BEEHAVE, which links foraging to in-hive dynamics. We thereby explored how different cropping systems determine spatiotemporal forage availability and, in turn, honey bee colony viability (e.g., time to extinction, TTE) and resilience (indicated by, e.g., brood mortality). To assess overall colony viability, we developed metrics, PH and PP, which quantified how much nectar and pollen provided by a cropping system per year was converted into a colony's adult worker population. Both crop species identity and diversity determined the temporal continuity in nectar and pollen supply and thus colony viability. Overall farmland structure and relative crop abundance were less important, but details mattered. For monocultures and for four-crop species systems composed of cereals, oilseed rape, maize, and sunflower, PH and PP were below the viability threshold. Such cropping systems showed frequent, badly timed, and prolonged forage gaps leading to detrimental cascading effects on life stages and in-hive work force, which critically reduced colony resilience. Four-crop systems composed of rye-grass-dandelion pasture, trefoil-grass pasture, sunflower, and phacelia ensured continuous nectar and pollen supply resulting in TTE > 5 yr, and PH (269.5 kg) and PP (108 kg) being above viability thresholds for 5 yr. Overall, trefoil-grass pasture, oilseed rape, buckwheat, and phacelia improved the temporal continuity in forage supply and colony's viability. Our results are hypothetical as they are obtained from simplified landscape settings, but they nevertheless match empirical observations, in particular the viability threshold. Our framework can be used to assess the effects of cropping systems on honey bee viability and to develop land-use strategies that help maintain pollination services by avoiding prolonged and badly timed forage gaps.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Horn
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, Leipzig, 04318, Germany
| | - Matthias A Becher
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Karin Johst
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, Leipzig, 04318, Germany
| | - Peter J Kennedy
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Juliet L Osborne
- Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn Cornwall, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Viktoriia Radchuk
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW) in the Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V., Alfred-Kowalke-Straße 17, Berlin, 10315, Germany
| | - Volker Grimm
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Permoserstrasse 15, Leipzig, 04318, Germany
- Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, University of Potsdam, Am Mühlenberg 3, Potsdam, 14476, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhang G, St. Clair AL, Dolezal A, Toth AL, O’Neal M. Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidea) Pollen Forage in a Highly Cultivated Agroecosystem: Limited Diet Diversity and Its Relationship to Virus Resistance. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 113:1062-1072. [PMID: 32274498 PMCID: PMC7362718 DOI: 10.1093/jee/toaa055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Intensified agriculture reduces natural and seminatural habitats and plant diversity, reducing forage available to honey bees (Apis mellifera L. [Hymenoptera: Apidea]). In agricultural landscapes of Iowa, United States, we studied the impact of extrinsic agricultural intensification on the availability of pollen for honey bees by placing colonies next to soybean fields surrounded by either a low or high level of cultivation. The abundance and diversity of pollen returned to a colony were estimated by placing pollen traps on bee colonies during the summer and fall of 2015 and 2016. We observed no difference in abundance and diversity of pollen collected by colonies in either landscape, but abundance varied over time with significantly less collected in September. We explored if the most commonly collected pollen from these landscapes had the capacity to support honey bee immune health by testing if diets consisting of these pollens improved bee resistance to a viral infection. Compared to bees denied pollen, a mixture of pollen from the two most common plant taxa (Trifolium spp. L. [Fabales: Fabaceae] and Chimaechrista fasciculata (Michx.) Greene [Fabales: Fabaceae]) significantly reduced honey bee mortality induced by viral infection. These data suggest that a community of a few common plants was favored by honey bees, and when available, could be valuable for reducing mortality from a viral infection. Our data suggest a late season shortage of pollen may be ameliorated by additions of fall flowering plants, like goldenrod (Solidago spp. L. [Asterales: Asteraceae]) and sunflower (Helianthus, Heliopsis, and Silphium spp. [Asterales: Asteraceae]), as options for enhancing pollen availability and quality for honey bees in agricultural landscapes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ge Zhang
- Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
| | - Ashley L St. Clair
- Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
| | - Adam Dolezal
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
- Department of Entomology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL
| | - Amy L Toth
- Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
| | - Matthew O’Neal
- Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Austrian COLOSS Survey of Honey Bee Colony Winter Losses 2018/19 and Analysis of Hive Management Practices. DIVERSITY-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/d12030099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
We conducted a citizen science survey on overwinter honey bee colony losses in Austria. A total of 1534 beekeepers with 33,651 colonies reported valid loss rates. The total winter loss rate for Austria was 15.2% (95% confidence interval: 14.4–16.1%). Young queens showed a positive effect on colony survival and queen-related losses. Observed queen problems during the season increased the probability of losing colonies to unsolvable queen problems. A notable number of bees with crippled wings during the foraging season resulted in high losses and could serve as an alarm signal for beekeepers. Migratory beekeepers and large operations had lower loss rates than smaller ones. Additionally, we investigated the impact of several hive management practices. Most of them had no significant effect on winter mortality, but purchasing wax from outside the own operation was associated with higher loss rates. Colonies that reported foraging on maize and late catch crop fields or collecting melezitose exhibited higher loss rates. The most common Varroa destructor control methods were a combination of long-term formic acid treatment in summer and oxalic acid trickling in winter. Biotechnical methods in summer had a favourable effect on colony survival.
Collapse
|
13
|
Rader R, Cunningham SA, Howlett BG, Inouye DW. Non-Bee Insects as Visitors and Pollinators of Crops: Biology, Ecology, and Management. ANNUAL REVIEW OF ENTOMOLOGY 2020; 65:391-407. [PMID: 31610136 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-ento-011019-025055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Insects other than bees (i.e., non-bees) have been acknowledged as important crop pollinators, but our understanding of which crop plants they visit and how effective they are as crop pollinators is limited. To compare visitation and efficiency of crop-pollinating bees and non-bees at a global scale, we review the literature published from 1950 to 2018 concerning the visitors and pollinators of 105 global food crops that are known to benefit from animal pollinators. Of the 105 animal-pollinated crops, a significant proportion are visited by both bee and non-bee taxa (n = 82; 77%), with a total gross domestic product (GDP) value of US$780.8 billion. For crops with a narrower range of visitors, those that favor non-bees (n = 8) have a value of US$1.2 billion, compared to those that favor bees (n = 15), with a value of US$19.0 billion. Limited pollinator efficiency data were available for one or more taxa in only half of the crops (n = 61; 58%). Among the non-bees, some families were recorded visiting a wide range of crops (>12), including six families of flies (Syrphidae, Calliphoridae, Muscidae, Sarcophagidae, Tachinidae, and Bombyliidae), two beetle families (Coccinelidae and Nitidulidae), ants (Formicidae), wasps (Vespidae), and four families of moths and butterflies (Hesperiidae, Lycaenidae, Nymphalidae, and Pieridae). Among the non-bees, taxa within the dipteran families Syrphidae and Calliphoridae were the most common visitors to the most crops, but this may be an artifact of the limited data available. The diversity of species and life histories in these groups of lesser-known pollinators indicates that diet, larval requirements, and other reproductive needs will require alternative habitat management practices to bees.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Rader
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia;
| | - S A Cunningham
- Fenner School of Environment and Society, College of Science, The Australian National University, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia
| | - B G Howlett
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
| | - D W Inouye
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
- Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, Crested Butte, Colorado 81224, USA
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Brodschneider R, Gratzer K, Kalcher-Sommersguter E, Heigl H, Auer W, Moosbeckhofer R, Crailsheim K. A citizen science supported study on seasonal diversity and monoflorality of pollen collected by honey bees in Austria. Sci Rep 2019; 9:16633. [PMID: 31719621 PMCID: PMC6851371 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53016-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Austrian beekeepers participated in the “C.S.I. Pollen” study as citizen scientists and collected pollen from honey bee colonies in hive mounted traps every three weeks from April to September in 2014 and 2015 to uncover the seasonal availability of pollen sources for bees. 1622 pollen samples were collected and analysed using palynological light microscopy to the lowest taxonomic level possible. For 2014 and 2015 combined, 239 pollen types from more than 85 families were detected. ‘Various unknown’ species, Taraxacum-form and Plantago spp. were the pollen types collected by the majority of colonies (occurrence), whereas the most pollen grains collected were from Trifolium repens-form, Plantago spp. and Salix spp. (abundance). In spring, trees were found to be the most abundant pollen source, whereas in summer herbs dominated. On average, a colony collected pollen from 16.8 ± 4.7 (2014) and 15.0 ± 4.4 (2015) pollen types per sampling. Those numbers, however, vary between sampling dates and indicate a seasonal pattern. This is also supported by Simpson’s diversity index, which was on median 0.668. In both years, 50.0% of analysed pollen samples were partially (>50%) and 4.2% were highly monofloral (i.e. containing >90% of one pollen type). Prevalence of monofloral pollen samples peaked at the beginning and the end of the season, when pollen diversity was the lowest.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Brodschneider
- University of Graz, Institute of Biology, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010, Graz, Austria.
| | - Kristina Gratzer
- University of Graz, Institute of Biology, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | | | - Helmut Heigl
- Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Ltd., Institute for Seed and Propagating Material, Plant Protection Service and Apiculture, Department for Apiculture and Bee Protection, Vienna, Austria
| | - Waltraud Auer
- Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Ltd., Institute for Seed and Propagating Material, Plant Protection Service and Apiculture, Department for Apiculture and Bee Protection, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rudolf Moosbeckhofer
- Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Ltd., Institute for Seed and Propagating Material, Plant Protection Service and Apiculture, Department for Apiculture and Bee Protection, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karl Crailsheim
- University of Graz, Institute of Biology, Universitätsplatz 2, 8010, Graz, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Hendriksma HP, Pachow CD, Nieh JC. Effects of essential amino acid supplementation to promote honey bee gland and muscle development in cages and colonies. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 117:103906. [PMID: 31254521 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2019.103906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
There is growing concern about the impact of poor nutrition on honey bee health. With caged bee experiments and whole-colony field experiments, we examined the effects of supplementing bees with essential amino acids (EAA), or a control treatment of nonessential amino acids (NAA). Caged bees fed EAA developed significantly greater head weights than controls, weights that were similar to nurse bees. Caged bees fed EAA developed significantly greater thorax weights than controls, weights that were similar to foragers. Higher head and thorax weights may respectively reflect increased glandular development in nurse bees and higher flight muscle mass in forager bees. In our field study, 29% of the pollen collected by our honey bee colonies came from eucalyptus trees. Amino acid analyses revealed no EAA deficiencies for the bee-collected polyfloral pollen or for monofloral eucalyptus pollen. Colonies fed 29 g EAA supplement may have slightly increased individual bee growth and brood rearing, but this effect was not significant. A clear colony result was a correlation between nurse bee physiology and brood development: 17% increase in nurse bee weight corresponded to 100% more capped brood cells (R2 = 0.38). We suggest that colony supplementation should target nurse bee nutrition. Nurse bees eventually become forager bees. Hence, increased glandular development may support colony brood development and greater flight muscle mass may assist colony foraging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harmen P Hendriksma
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC0116, La Jolla, CA 92093-0116, USA.
| | - Collin D Pachow
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC0116, La Jolla, CA 92093-0116, USA
| | - James C Nieh
- Division of Biological Sciences, Section of Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution, University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC0116, La Jolla, CA 92093-0116, USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Does the Pollen Diet Influence the Production and Expression of Antimicrobial Peptides in Individual Honey Bees? INSECTS 2018; 9:insects9030079. [PMID: 29973559 PMCID: PMC6164669 DOI: 10.3390/insects9030079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We investigated the importance of protein nutrition for honey bee immunity. Different protein diets (monofloral pollen of Helianthus spp., Sinapis spp., Asparagus spp., Castanea spp., a mixture of the four different pollen and the pollen substitute FeedbeeTM) were fed to honey bees in cages ad libitum. After 18 days of feeding, apidaecin 1 isoforms concentration in the thorax were measured using nanoflow liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Expression levels of genes, coding for apidaecins and abaecin in the abdomen were determined using quantitative PCR. The results indicate that protein-containing nutrition in adult worker honey bees can trigger certain metabolic responses. Bees without dietary protein showed lower apidaecin 1 isoforms concentrations. The significantly lowest concentration of apidaecin 1 isoforms was found in the group that was fed no pollen diet when compared to Asparagus, Castanea, Helianthus, and Sinapis pollen or the pollen supplement FeedBeeTM. Expression levels of the respective genes were also affected by the protein diets and different expression levels of these two antimicrobial peptides were found. Positive correlation between concentration and gene expression of apidaecins was found. The significance of feeding bees with different protein diets, as well as the importance of pollen nutrition for honey bee immunity is demonstrated.
Collapse
|
17
|
Nicolson SW, Da Silva Das Neves S, Human H, Pirk CWW. Digestibility and nutritional value of fresh and stored pollen for honey bees (Apis mellifera scutellata). JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2018; 107:302-308. [PMID: 29287787 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2017.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Pollen, the main protein source for honey bees, is mixed with regurgitated nectar or honey during collection and then stored as 'bee bread' before its consumption, mainly by young nurse workers. It has been suggested that storage of pollen improves its nutritional value and digestibility, but there is little evidence for such changes. We fed two fresh pollen types of different protein content (aloe and sunflower), and two stored pollen types (sunflower and a mixed pollen), to young caged worker bees. We measured daily consumption of pollen and sucrose solution, and survival after 14 days. At day 14 we recorded ovarian activation and extraction efficiency, by counting empty pollen grains in the rectal contents. Extraction efficiency is a measure of pollen digestibility. Contrary to our predictions, bees did not consume more fresh sunflower pollen than fresh aloe pollen to compensate for the lower protein content of sunflower pollen. In addition, they did not consume less sucrose solution when fed stored pollen diets that are already enriched in sugar. Consumption of stored sunflower pollen resulted in a low protein to carbohydrate (P:C) intake. Survival and ovarian activation were higher on diets giving higher P:C intakes. Extraction efficiency was high (up to 99%) for all pollen diets, and comparison of fresh and stored sunflower pollen showed that storage did not make it easier to digest. Changes to pollen during storage do not confer obvious benefits to honey bees.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Susan W Nicolson
- Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Susana Da Silva Das Neves
- Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Hannelie Human
- Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Christian W W Pirk
- Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X20, Hatfield 0028, Pretoria, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Abstract
Honey bees feed on floral nectar and pollen that they store in their colonies as honey and bee bread. Social division of labor enables the collection of stores of food that are consumed by within-hive bees that convert stored pollen and honey into royal jelly. Royal jelly and other glandular secretions are the primary food of growing larvae and of the queen but are also fed to other colony members. Research clearly shows that bees regulate their intake, like other animals, around specific proportions of macronutrients. This form of regulation is done as individuals and at the colony level by foragers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Geraldine A Wright
- Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, United Kingdom;
| | - Susan W Nicolson
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa;
| | - Sharoni Shafir
- Department of Entomology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel;
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Boily M, Aras P, Jumarie C. Foraging in maize field areas: A risky business? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 601-602:1522-1532. [PMID: 28605870 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
In Quebec, Canada, the cultivation of maize dominates the agricultural territory. This crop requires a sustained supply of fertilizers from different sources: chemical, natural or from residual materials (sludge). These amendments contain metallic trace elements, which may lead to metal-contaminated maize pollen, a possible source of prooxidants for the foraging bees. Our objective was to determine whether maize fields environment influences the oxidation processes and the accumulation of metals in bees. A few days prior to pollen shedding, beehives were installed in maize fields: one organically grown (site A) and three conventionally grown (sites B, C and D). Soil, maize pollen and bees were analyzed for metal content. Every 15days, bees were collected and analyzed for peroxidation of lipids, metallothionein-like proteins (MTLPs), proteins, retinoids and lipophilic antioxidants (carotenoids and α-tocopherol). The compound β-carotene was the most abundant in bees from all sites, followed by α-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, α-cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin and lutein. Retinaldehyde and retinol varied according to times and sites without demonstrating clear trends. However, significant differences between sites were noted in 13-cis-retinoic acid and two retinoic acid metabolites measured in bees, suggesting alteration in the reduction-oxidation processes. In line with these results, the level of lipid peroxidation was globally higher in sites B, C and D compared with the organic site. Higher concentrations of metals were observed in soil and pollen from the field A, but bees metal contents were equal or less than those measured in bees from other sites. Higher bee MTLP levels were measured in sites B, C and D. For most sampling times, the discriminant analysis revealed that the conditions were distinguished by the oxidation processes in bees. Our data suggest that bees foraging in conventionally grown maize fields are at risk of increased oxidative damages which can alter the fine regulation of retinoids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monique Boily
- Centre de Recherche en toxicologie de l'environnement (TOXEN), Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), C.P. 8888, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada.
| | - Philippe Aras
- Centre de Recherche en toxicologie de l'environnement (TOXEN), Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), C.P. 8888, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Catherine Jumarie
- Centre de Recherche en toxicologie de l'environnement (TOXEN), Département des sciences biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), C.P. 8888, Succursale Centre-Ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3P8, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Stabler D, Power EF, Borland AM, Barnes JD, Wright GA. A method for analysing small samples of floral pollen for free and protein-bound amino acids. Methods Ecol Evol 2017; 9:430-438. [PMID: 29576862 PMCID: PMC5856064 DOI: 10.1111/2041-210x.12867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Accepted: 08/04/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Pollen provides floral visitors with essential nutrients including proteins, lipids, vitamins and minerals. As an important nutrient resource for pollinators, including honeybees and bumblebees, pollen quality is of growing interest in assessing available nutrition to foraging bees. To date, quantifying the protein-bound amino acids in pollen has been difficult and methods rely on large amounts of pollen, typically more than 1 g. More usual is to estimate a crude protein value based on the nitrogen content of pollen, however, such methods provide no information on the distribution of essential and non-essential amino acids constituting the proteins.Here, we describe a method of microwave-assisted acid hydrolysis using low amounts of pollen that allows exploration of amino acid composition, quantified using ultra high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), and a back calculation to estimate the crude protein content of pollen.Reliable analysis of protein-bound and free amino acids as well as an estimation of crude protein concentration was obtained from pollen samples as low as 1 mg. Greater variation in both protein-bound and free amino acids was found in pollen sample sizes <1 mg. Due to the variability in recovery of amino acids in smaller sample sizes, we suggest a correction factor to apply to specific sample sizes of pollen in order to estimate total crude protein content.The method described in this paper will allow researchers to explore the composition of amino acids in pollen and will aid research assessing the available nutrition to pollinating animals. This method will be particularly useful in assaying the pollen of wild plants, from which it is difficult to obtain large sample weights.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Stabler
- Institute of Neuroscience Henry Wellcome Building for Neuroecology Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne UK
| | - Eileen F Power
- Institute of Neuroscience Henry Wellcome Building for Neuroecology Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne UK.,School of Natural Sciences Trinity College Dublin D2 Ireland
| | - Anne M Borland
- School of Biology Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne UK
| | - Jeremy D Barnes
- School of Biology Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne UK
| | - Geraldine A Wright
- Institute of Neuroscience Henry Wellcome Building for Neuroecology Newcastle University Newcastle upon Tyne UK
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Kostić AŽ, Kaluđerović LM, Dojčinović BP, Barać MB, Babić VB, Mačukanović-Jocić MP. Preliminary investigation of mineral content of pollen collected from different Serbian maize hybrids - is there any potential nutritional value? JOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE 2017; 97:2803-2809. [PMID: 27778338 DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.8108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2016] [Revised: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/19/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bee pollen has already proved to be a good supplement rich in iron and zinc. Studies on the application of flower pollen in the food industry and medicine have begun. Bearing in mind the prevalence of maize as a crop culture, its pollen will be easily available. The mineral composition of pollen of seven Serbian maize hybrids was analyzed in order to establish its nutritional value and the benefits of its implementation in the human diet using the inductively coupled plasma method. RESULTS The presence of twenty four different macro- (nine) and micronutrients (fifteen) was detected. The most common minerals were phosphorus and potassium, while arsenic, cobalt, lead, nickel and molybdenum were found in some samples. CONCLUSION Comparing the results obtained with recommended or tolerable dietary intake references for adults, it was found that maize pollen can be used as a very good source of zinc, iron, chromium and manganese for humans. With regard to selenium content, pollen samples proved to be moderately good source of this important micronutrient. Contents of some elements (Fe, Zn, Mn, Cr, Se, Al and V) showed significant differences depending on hybrid type. In some samples increased concentrations of aluminum and vanadium were recorded, which may pose a potential problem due to their toxicity. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandar Ž Kostić
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, 11080, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Lazar M Kaluđerović
- Department of Pedology and Geology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, 11080, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Biljana P Dojčinović
- Institute of Chemistry, Technology and Metallurgy, University of Belgrade, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Miroljub B Barać
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, 11080, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Vojka B Babić
- Maize Research Institute Zemun Polje, 11185, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | |
Collapse
|
22
|
Kaluza BF, Wallace H, Keller A, Heard TA, Jeffers B, Drescher N, Blüthgen N, Leonhardt SD. Generalist social bees maximize diversity intake in plant species-rich and resource-abundant environments. Ecosphere 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.1758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin F. Kaluza
- Department of Ecology; Leuphana University; 21335 Lüneburg Germany
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering; University of the Sunshine Coast; Maroochydore Queensland 4558 Australia
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology; University of Würzburg; 97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Helen Wallace
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering; University of the Sunshine Coast; Maroochydore Queensland 4558 Australia
| | - Alexander Keller
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology; University of Würzburg; 97074 Würzburg Germany
- DNA Analytics Core Facility; University of Würzburg; 97074 Würzburg Germany
| | - Tim A. Heard
- CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences; Brisbane Queensland 4001 Australia
| | | | - Nora Drescher
- Department of Ecology; Leuphana University; 21335 Lüneburg Germany
| | - Nico Blüthgen
- Department of Biology; University of Darmstadt; 64287 Darmstadt Germany
| | - Sara D. Leonhardt
- Department of Animal Ecology and Tropical Biology; University of Würzburg; 97074 Würzburg Germany
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Di Pasquale G, Alaux C, Le Conte Y, Odoux JF, Pioz M, Vaissière BE, Belzunces LP, Decourtye A. Variations in the Availability of Pollen Resources Affect Honey Bee Health. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0162818. [PMID: 27631605 PMCID: PMC5025243 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2015] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Intensive agricultural systems often expose honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) to large temporal variations in the availability (quantity, quality and diversity) of nutritional resources. Such nutritional irregularity is expected to affect honey bee health. We therefore tested under laboratory conditions the effect of such variation in pollen availability on honey bee health (survival and nursing physiology—hypopharyngeal gland development and vitellogenin expression). We fed honey bees with different diets composed of pollen pellets collected by honey bees in an agricultural landscape of western France. Slight drops (5–10%) in the availability of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.) pollen resulted in significant reductions of all tested variables. Despite some variations in taxonomic diversity and nutritional quality, the pollen mixes harvested over the season had a similar positive influence on honey bee health, except for the one collected in late July that induced poor survival and nursing physiology. This period coincided with the mass-flowering of maize (Zea mays L.), an anemophilous crop which produces poor-quality pollen. Therefore, changes in bee health were not connected to variations in pollen diversity but rather to variations in pollen depletion and quality, such as can be encountered in an intensive agricultural system of western France. Finally, even though pollen can be available ad libitum during the mass-flowering of some crops (e.g. maize), it can fail to provide bees with diet adequate for their development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Cédric Alaux
- UMT PrADE, Avignon, France
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Avignon, France
| | - Yves Le Conte
- UMT PrADE, Avignon, France
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Avignon, France
| | | | - Maryline Pioz
- UMT PrADE, Avignon, France
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Avignon, France
| | - Bernard E. Vaissière
- UMT PrADE, Avignon, France
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Avignon, France
| | - Luc P. Belzunces
- UMT PrADE, Avignon, France
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Avignon, France
| | - Axel Decourtye
- UMT PrADE, Avignon, France
- ACTA, Avignon, France
- ITSAP-Institut de l’abeille, Avignon, France
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Hungry for quality—individual bumblebees forage flexibly to collect high-quality pollen. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-016-2129-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
|
25
|
Lecocq A, Kryger P, Vejsnæs F, Bruun Jensen A. Weight Watching and the Effect of Landscape on Honeybee Colony Productivity: Investigating the Value of Colony Weight Monitoring for the Beekeeping Industry. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0132473. [PMID: 26147392 PMCID: PMC4493132 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0132473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2015] [Accepted: 06/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the last few decades, a gradual departure away from traditional agricultural practices has resulted in alterations to the composition of the countryside and landscapes across Europe. In the face of such changes, monitoring the development and productivity of honey bee colonies from different sites can give valuable insight on the influence of landscape on their productivity and might point towards future directions for modernized beekeeping practices. Using data on honeybee colony weights provided by electronic scales spread across Denmark, we investigated the effect of the immediate landscape on colony productivity. In order to extract meaningful information, data manipulation was necessary prior to analysis as a result of different management regimes or scales malfunction. Once this was carried out, we were able to show that colonies situated in landscapes composed of more than 50% urban areas were significantly more productive than colonies situated in those with more than 50% agricultural areas or those in mixed areas. As well as exploring some of the potential reasons for the observed differences, we discuss the value of weight monitoring of colonies on a large scale.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Antoine Lecocq
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Plants and Environmental Sciences—PLEN, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
- * E-mail:
| | - Per Kryger
- Aarhus University, Department of Agroecology—Entomology and Plant Pathology, 4200 Slagelse, Denmark
| | | | - Annette Bruun Jensen
- University of Copenhagen, Department of Plants and Environmental Sciences—PLEN, 1871 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Christopher Cutler G, Scott-Dupree CD. A field study examining the effects of exposure to neonicotinoid seed-treated corn on commercial bumble bee colonies. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2014; 23:1755-63. [PMID: 25194943 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-014-1340-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/27/2014] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Neonicotinoid insecticides have been studied as possible contributors to bumble bee declines in North America and Europe. This has potential significance in corn agro-ecosystems since this crop is frequently treated with neonicotinoids and dominates much of the agricultural landscape in North America and Europe where bumble bees and other pollinators are commonplace. We conducted an experiment where commercial bumble bee (Bombus impatiens) hives were placed during pollen shed next to corn (Zea mays) fields that were grown from "conventional" seed that was treated with neonicotinoids, or "organic" seed that was not treated with pesticides. Samples of pollen were collected from corn plants for neonicotinoid residue analysis, pollen types carried by worker bees returning to hives were determined, and in autumn hives were dissected to measure various endpoints that serve as markers of colony vigor. Clothianidin was detected (0.1-0.8 ng/g) in pollen collected from all conventional fields, but was not detected in pollen from organic fields. Corn pollen was only rarely collected from bumble bee foragers and the vast majority of pollen was from wild plants around the corn fields. All hives appeared healthy and neonicotinoid seed treatments had no effect on any hive endpoints measured, except the number of workers, where significantly fewer workers were recovered from hives placed next to conventional fields (96 ± 15 workers per hive) compared to organic fields (127 ± 17 workers per hive). The results suggest that exposure during pollen shed to corn grown from neonicotinoid-treated shed poses low risk to B. impatiens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- G Christopher Cutler
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Dalhousie University Agricultural Campus, Truro, NS, Canada,
| | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Drescher N, Wallace HM, Katouli M, Massaro CF, Leonhardt SD. Diversity matters: how bees benefit from different resin sources. Oecologia 2014; 176:943-53. [PMID: 25205030 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-014-3070-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2014] [Accepted: 08/25/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Biodiverse environments provide a variety of resources that can be exploited by consumers. While many studies revealed a positive correlation between biodiversity and consumer biomass and richness, only few studies have investigated how resource diversity affects single consumers. To better understand whether a single consumer species benefits from diverse resources, we tested how the protective function of a defensive plant resource (i.e. resin exploited by social bees) varied among different sources and target organisms (predators, parasites and pathogens). To assess synergistic effects, resins from different plant genera were tested separately and in combination. We found that resin diversity is beneficial for bees, with its functional properties depending on the target organisms, type and composition of resin. Different resins showed different effects, and mixtures were more effective than some of the single resins (functional complementarity). We conclude that resins of different plant species target different organisms and act synergistically where combined. Bees that rely on resin for protection benefit more when they have access to diverse resin sources. Loss of biodiversity may in turn destabilize consumer populations due to restricted access to a variety of resources.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nora Drescher
- Department of Ecology, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany,
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Avvelenamenti da pesticidi. PATOLOGIA E AVVERSITÀ DELL’ALVEARE 2014. [PMCID: PMC7121772 DOI: 10.1007/978-88-470-5650-3_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
29
|
Boily M, Sarrasin B, Deblois C, Aras P, Chagnon M. Acetylcholinesterase in honey bees (Apis mellifera) exposed to neonicotinoids, atrazine and glyphosate: laboratory and field experiments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2013; 20:5603-14. [PMID: 23443944 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-013-1568-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2012] [Accepted: 02/11/2013] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
In Québec, as observed globally, abnormally high honey bee mortality rates have been reported recently. Several potential contributing factors have been identified, and exposure to pesticides is of increasing concern. In maize fields, foraging bees are exposed to residual concentrations of insecticides such as neonicotinoids used for seed coating. Highly toxic to bees, neonicotinoids are also reported to increase AChE activity in other invertebrates exposed to sub-lethal doses. The purpose of this study was therefore to test if the honey bee's AChE activity could be altered by neonicotinoid compounds and to explore possible effects of other common products used in maize fields: atrazine and glyphosate. One week prior to pollen shedding, beehives were placed near three different field types: certified organically grown maize, conventionally grown maize or non-cultivated. At the same time, caged bees were exposed to increasing sub-lethal doses of neonicotinoid insecticides (imidacloprid and clothianidin) and herbicides (atrazine and glyphosate) under controlled conditions. While increased AChE activity was found in all fields after 2 weeks of exposure, bees close to conventional maize crops showed values higher than those in both organic maize fields and non-cultivated areas. In caged bees, AChE activity increased in response to neonicotinoids, and a slight decrease was observed by glyphosate. These results are discussed with regard to AChE activity as a potential biomarker of exposure for neonicotinoids.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monique Boily
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, Succursale Centre-Ville, C.P. 8888, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P8, Canada.
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|