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Glavinic U, Jovanovic NM, Dominikovic N, Lakic N, Ćosić M, Stevanovic J, Stanimirovic Z. Potential of Wormwood and Oak Bark-Based Supplement in Health Improvement of Nosema ceranae-Infected Honey Bees. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1195. [PMID: 38672343 PMCID: PMC11047348 DOI: 10.3390/ani14081195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Nosema ceranae, a microsporidian parasite, as one of the stressors that contribute to honey bee decline, has a significant negative impact on the longevity, productivity, and reproductive capacity of honey bee colonies. There are several different strategies for Nosema infection control, including natural-based and antibiotic-based products. In this study, we tested wormwood and oak bark-based supplement "Medenko forte" on survival, Nosema infection, oxidative stress, and expression of immune-related genes in artificially N. ceranae-infected bees. The results revealed a positive influence on the survival of Nosema-infected bees, irrespectively of the moment of supplement application (day 1, day 3, or day 6 after bee emergence), as well as reduction of Nosema loads and, consequently, Nosema-induced oxidative stress. Supplementation had no negative effects on bee immunity, but better anti-Nosema than immune-stimulating effects were affirmed based on expression levels of abaecin, defensin, hymenoptaecin, apidaecin, and vitellogenin genes. In conclusion, the tested supplement "Medenko forte" has great potential in the health protection of Nosema-infected bees. However, further investigations need to be performed to elucidate its mechanisms of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uros Glavinic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (U.G.); (N.D.); (J.S.); (Z.S.)
| | - Nemanja M. Jovanovic
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nina Dominikovic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (U.G.); (N.D.); (J.S.); (Z.S.)
| | - Nada Lakic
- Department of Statistics, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Nemanjina 6, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Milivoje Ćosić
- Institute of Forestry, Kneza Viseslava 3, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia;
| | - Jevrosima Stevanovic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (U.G.); (N.D.); (J.S.); (Z.S.)
| | - Zoran Stanimirovic
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Bul. Oslobodjenja 18, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia; (U.G.); (N.D.); (J.S.); (Z.S.)
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Gok Yurttas A, Çinar K, Khan Z, Elgün T, Mayack C. Inactivation of Nosema spp. with zinc phthalocyanine. J Invertebr Pathol 2024; 203:108074. [PMID: 38350524 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2024.108074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Most honey bee pathogens, such as Vairimorpha (Nosema), cannot be rapidly and definitively diagnosed in a natural setting, consequently there is typically the spread of these diseases through shared and re-use of beekeeping equipment. Furthermore, there are no viable treatment options available for Nosema spores to aid in managing the spread of this bee disease. We therefore aimed to develop a new method using novel Zinc Phthalocyanine (ZnPc) as a photosensitizer for the photodynamic inactivation of Nosema spores that could be used for the decontamination of beekeeping equipment. Nosema spores were propagated for in vitro testing using four caged Apis mellifera honey bees. The ZnPc treatment was characterized, encapsulated with a liposome, and then used as either a 10 or 100 µM treatment for the freshly harvested Nosema spores, for either a 30 and or 60-minute time period, under either light or dark conditions, in-vitro, in 96-well plates. In the dark treatment, after 30-min, the ZnPc 100 µM treatment, caused a 30 % Nosema mortality, while this increased to 80 % at the same concentration after the light treatment. The high rate of anti-spore effects, in a short period of time, supports the notion that this could be an effective treatment for managing honey bee Nosema infections in the future. Our results also suggest that the photo activation of the treatment could be applied in the field setting and this would increase the sterilization of beekeeping equipment against Nosema.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asiye Gok Yurttas
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Istanbul Health and Technology University, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Kamil Çinar
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Gebze Technical University, Kocaeli, Turkey.
| | - Zaeema Khan
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabancı University, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Tuğba Elgün
- Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul Biruni University, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Christopher Mayack
- Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabancı University, Istanbul, Turkey; US Department of Agriculture, Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit (ISPHRU), Western Regional Research Center (WRRC) in the Pacific West Area (PWA), USDA ARS Bee Lab Trailer 1, United States.
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Ghanem S, Akülkü İ, Güzle K, Khan Z, Mayack C. Regulation of forager honey bee appetite independent of the glucose-insulin signaling pathway. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2024; 4:1335350. [PMID: 38469335 PMCID: PMC10926362 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2024.1335350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Introduction To maintain energetic homeostasis the energetic state of the individual needs to communicate with appetite regulatory mechanisms on a regular basis. Although hunger levels indicated by the energetic state and appetite levels, the desire for food intake, tend to be correlated, and on their own are well studied, how the two cross-talk and regulate one another is less known. Insects, in contrast to vertebrates, tend to have trehalose as the primary sugar found in the hemolymph, which could possibly serve as an alternative monitor of the energetic state in comparison to the glucose-insulin signaling pathway, found in vertebrates. Methods We investigate how manipulating hemolymph sugar levels alter the biogenic amines in the honey bee brain, appetite levels, and insulin like peptide gene expression, across three age classes, to determine how the energetic state of the honey bee might be connected to appetite regulation. Results We found that only in the forager bees, with a lowering of hemolymph trehalose levels, there was an increase in octopamine and a decrease in tyramine levels in the honey bee brain that corresponded with increased appetite levels, while there was no significant changes in Insulin Like Peptide-1 or 2 gene expression. Discussion Our findings suggest that hemolymph trehalose levels aid in regulating appetite levels, in forager bees, via octopamine and tyramine, and this regulation appears to be functioning independent of the glucose insulin signaling pathway. Whether this potentially more direct and rapid appetite regulatory pathway can be generalized to other insects, which also undergo energy demanding activities, remains to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saleh Ghanem
- Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabancı University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - İrem Akülkü
- Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabancı University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Kübra Güzle
- Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabancı University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Zaeema Khan
- Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabancı University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Christopher Mayack
- Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabancı University, Istanbul, Türkiye
- US Department of Agriculture, Invasive Species and Pollinator Health Research Unit (ISPHRU), Western Regional Research Center (WRRC) in the Pacific West Area (PWA), Davis, CA, United States
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Orlova M, Porter M, Hines HM, Amsalem E. Symptomatic Infection with Vairimorpha spp. Decreases Diapause Survival in a Wild Bumble Bee Species ( Bombus griseocollis). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:ani13101656. [PMID: 37238086 DOI: 10.3390/ani13101656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Vairimorpha, a microsporidian parasite (previously classified as Nosema), has been implicated in the decline of wild bumble bee species in North America. Previous studies examining its influence on colony performance have displayed variable results, from extremely detrimental effects to no observable influence, and little is known about the effects it has on individuals during the winter diapause, a bottleneck for survival in many annual pollinators. Here, we examined the effect of Vairimorpha infection, body size, and mass on diapause survival in Bombus griseocollis gynes. We demonstrate that gyne survival length in diapause is negatively affected by symptomatic Vairimorpha infection of the maternal colony but does not correlate with individual pathogen load. Our findings further indicate that increased body mass offers a protective effect against mortality during diapause in infected, but not in healthy, gynes. This suggests that access to adequate nutritional resources prior to diapause might offset the harmful effect of Vairimorpha infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Orlova
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Biology and Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences, State University of New York Polytechnic Institute, Utica, NY 13502, USA
| | - Monique Porter
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Heather M Hines
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
- Department of Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - Etya Amsalem
- Department of Entomology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
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Fan X, Zhang W, Zhang K, Zhang J, Long Q, Wu Y, Zhang K, Zhu L, Chen D, Guo R. In-depth investigation of microRNA-mediated cross-kingdom regulation between Asian honey bee and microsporidian. Front Microbiol 2022; 13:1003294. [PMID: 36246221 PMCID: PMC9557207 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1003294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Asian honey bee Apis cerana is the original host for Nosema ceranae, a unicellular fungal parasite that causes bee nosemosis throughout the world. Currently, interaction between A. cerana and N. ceranae is largely unknown. Our group previously prepared A. c. cerana workers’ midguts at 7 days post inoculation (dpi) and 10 dpi with N. ceranae spores as well as corresponding un-inoculated workers’ midguts, followed by cDNA library construction and a combination of RNAs-seq and small RNA-seq. Meanwhile, we previously prepared clean spores of N. ceranae, which were then subjected to cDNA library construction and deep sequencing. Here, based on the gained high-quality transcriptome datasets, N. ceranae differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmiRNAs) targeted by host DEmiRNAs, and A. c. cerana DEmRNAs targeted by microsporidian DEmiRNAs were deeply investigated, with a focus on targets involved in N. ceranae glycolysis/glyconeogenesis as well as virulence factors, and A. c. cerana energy metabolism and immune response. In A. c. cerana worker’s midguts at 7 (10) dpi (days post inoculation), eight (seven) up-regulated and six (two) down-regulated miRNAs were observed to target 97 (44) down-regulated and 60 (15) up-regulated N. ceranae mRNAs, respectively. Additionally, two up-regulated miRNAs (miR-60-y and miR-676-y) in host midgut at 7 dpi could target genes engaged in N. ceranae spore wall protein and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, indicating potential host miRNA-mediated regulation of microsporidian virulence factor and energy metabolism. Meanwhile, in N. ceranae at 7 (10) dpi, 121 (110) up-regulated and 112 (104) down-regulated miRNAs were found to, respectively, target 343 (247) down-regulated and 138 (110) down-regulated mRNAs in A. c. cerana workers’ midguts. These targets in host were relevant to several crucial cellular and humoral immune pathways, such as phagasome, endocytosis, lysosomes, regulation of autophagy, and Jak–STAT signaling pathway, indicative of the involvement of N. ceranae DEmiRNAs in regulating these cellular and humoral immune pathways. In addition, N. ceranae miR-21-x was up-regulated at 7 dpi and had a target relative to oxidative phosphorylation, suggesting that miR-21-x may be used as a weapon to modulate this pivotal energy metabolism pathway. Furthermore, potential targeting relationships between two pairs of host DEmiRNAs-microsporidian DEmRNAs and two pairs of microsporidian DEmiRNAs-host DEmRNAs were validated using RT-qPCR. Our findings not only lay a foundation for exploring the molecular mechanism underlying cross-kingdom regulation between A. c. cerana workers and N. ceranae, but also offer valuable insights into Asian honey bee-microsporidian interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxue Fan
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Wende Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Kaiyao Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Qi Long
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Ying Wu
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Kuihao Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Leran Zhu
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Dafu Chen
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- Apitherapy Research Institute, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Rui Guo
- College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- Apitherapy Research Institute, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
- *Correspondence: Rui Guo,
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6
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Recent Advances in the Biocontrol of Nosemosis in Honey Bees (Apis mellifera L.). J Fungi (Basel) 2022; 8:jof8050424. [PMID: 35628680 PMCID: PMC9145624 DOI: 10.3390/jof8050424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Nosemosis is a disease triggered by the single-celled spore-forming fungi Nosema apis and Nosema ceranae, which can cause extensive colony losses in honey bees (Apis mellifera L.). Fumagillin is an effective antibiotic treatment to control nosemosis, but due to its toxicity, it is currently banned in many countries. Accordingly, in the beekeeping sector, there is a strong demand for alternative ecological methods that can be used for the prevention and therapeutic control of nosemosis in honey bee colonies. Numerous studies have shown that plant extracts, RNA interference (RNAi) and beneficial microbes could provide viable non-antibiotic alternatives. In this article, recent scientific advances in the biocontrol of nosemosis are summarized.
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Houdelet C, Arafah K, Bocquet M, Bulet P. Molecular histoproteomy by MALDI mass spectrometry imaging to uncover markers of the impact of Nosema on Apis mellifera. Proteomics 2022; 22:e2100224. [PMID: 34997678 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202100224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2021] [Revised: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI IMS) is a powerful technology used to investigate the spatio-temporal distribution of a huge number of molecules throughout a body/tissue section. In this paper, we report the use of MALDI IMS to follow the molecular impact of an experimental infection of Apis mellifera with the microsporidia Nosema ceranae. We performed representative molecular mass fingerprints of selected tissues obtained by dissection. This was followed by MALDI IMS workflows optimization including specimen embedding and positioning as well as washing and matrix application. We recorded the local distribution of peptides/proteins within different tissues from experimentally infected versus non infected honeybees. As expected, a distinction in these molecular profiles between the two conditions was recorded from different anatomical sections of the gut tissue. More importantly, we observed differences in the molecular profiles in the brain, thoracic ganglia, hypopharyngeal glands, and hemolymph. We introduced MALDI IMS as an effective approach to monitor the impact of N. ceranae infection on A. mellifera. This opens perspectives for the discovery of molecular changes in peptides/proteins markers that could contribute to a better understanding of the impact of stressors and toxicity on different tissues of a bee in a single experiment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Houdelet
- CR Université Grenoble Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Grenoble, France.,Saint Julien-en Genevois, Plateforme BioPark d'Archamps, France
| | - Karim Arafah
- Saint Julien-en Genevois, Plateforme BioPark d'Archamps, France
| | | | - Philippe Bulet
- CR Université Grenoble Alpes, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Inserm U1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Grenoble, France.,Saint Julien-en Genevois, Plateforme BioPark d'Archamps, France
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8
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Snow JW. Nosema apis and N. ceranae Infection in Honey bees: A Model for Host-Pathogen Interactions in Insects. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2022; 114:153-177. [PMID: 35544003 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-93306-7_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
There has been increased focus on the role of microbial attack as a potential cause of recent declines in the health of the western honey bee, Apis mellifera. The Nosema species, N. apis and N. ceranae, are microsporidian parasites that are pathogenic to honey bees, and infection by these species has been implicated as a key factor in honey bee losses. Honey bees infected with both Nosema spp. display significant changes in their biology at the cellular, tissue, and organismal levels impacting host metabolism, immune function, physiology, and behavior. Infected individuals lead to colony dysfunction and can contribute to colony disease in some circumstances. The means through which parasite growth and tissue pathology in the midgut lead to the dramatic physiological and behavioral changes at the organismal level are only partially understood. In addition, we possess only a limited appreciation of the elements of the host environment that impact pathogen growth and development. Critical for answering these questions is a mechanistic understanding of the host and pathogen machinery responsible for host-pathogen interactions. A number of approaches are already being used to elucidate these mechanisms, and promising new tools may allow for gain- and loss-of-function experiments to accelerate future progress.
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Ponkit R, Naree S, Mayack CL, Suwannapong G. The pathological effects of a Nosema ceranae infection in the giant honey bee, Apis dorsata Fabricius, 1793. J Invertebr Pathol 2021; 185:107672. [PMID: 34597621 DOI: 10.1016/j.jip.2021.107672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Nosema ceranae is an intracellular microsporidian pathogen that lives in the midgut ventricular cells of all known honey bee Apis species. We suspect that N. ceranae may also cause energetic stress in the giant honey bee because this parasite is known to disrupt nutrient absorption resulting in energetic stress in the honey bee species Apis mellifera. To understand how N. ceranae impacts the energetic stress of the giant honey bee, A. dorsata, we measured the hemolymph trehalose levels of experimentally infected giant honey bees on days three, five, seven, and fourteen post infection (p.i.). We also measured the hypopharyngeal gland protein content, the total midgut proteolytic enzyme activity, honey bee survival, infection ratio, and spore loads comparing infected and uninfected honey bees across the same time frame. Nosema ceranae-infected honey bees had significantly lowered survival, trehalose levels, hypopharyngeal gland protein content, and midgut proteolytic enzyme activity. We found an increasing level of parasitic loads and infection ratio of N. ceranae-infected bees after inoculation. Collectively, our results suggest that the giant honey bee suffers from energetic stress and limited nutrient absorption from a N. ceranae infection, which results in lowered survival in comparison to uninfected honey bees. Our findings highlight that other honey bee species besides A. mellifera are susceptible to microsporidian pathogens that they harbor, which results in negative effects on health and survival. Therefore, these pathogens might be transmitted at a community level, in the natural environment, resulting in negative health effects of multiple honey bee species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rujira Ponkit
- Biological Science Program, Faculty of Science, Burapha University, Chon Buri 20131, Thailand
| | - Sanchai Naree
- Biological Science Program, Faculty of Science, Burapha University, Chon Buri 20131, Thailand
| | - Christopher L Mayack
- Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Tuzla 34956, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Guntima Suwannapong
- Biological Science Program, Faculty of Science, Burapha University, Chon Buri 20131, Thailand.
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Naree S, Ponkit R, Chotiaroonrat E, Mayack CL, Suwannapong G. Propolis Extract and Chitosan Improve Health of Nosema ceranae Infected Giant Honey Bees, Apis dorsata Fabricius, 1793. Pathogens 2021; 10:785. [PMID: 34206455 PMCID: PMC8308750 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10070785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Nosema ceranae is a large contributing factor to the most recent decline in honey bee health worldwide. Developing new alternative treatments against N. ceranae is particularly pressing because there are few treatment options available and therefore the risk of increased antibiotic resistance is quite high. Recently, natural products have demonstrated to be a promising avenue for finding new effective treatments against N. ceranae. We evaluated the effects of propolis extract of stingless bee, Tetrigona apicalis and chito-oligosaccharide (COS) on giant honey bees, Apis dorsata, experimentally infected with N. ceranae to determine if these treatments could improve the health of the infected individuals. Newly emerged Nosema-free bees were individually inoculated with 106N. ceranae spores per bee. We fed infected and control bees the following treatments consisting of 0%, 50%, propolis extracts, 0 ppm and 0.5 ppm COS in honey solution (w/v). Propolis extracts and COS caused a significant increase in trehalose levels in hemolymph, protein contents, survival rates and acini diameters of the hypopharyngeal glands in infected bees. Our results suggest that propolis and COS could improve the health of infected bees. Further research is needed to determine the underlying mechanisms responsible for the improved health of the infected bees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanchai Naree
- Biological Science Program, Faculty of Science, Burapha University, Chon Buri 20131, Thailand; (S.N.); (R.P.); (E.C.)
| | - Rujira Ponkit
- Biological Science Program, Faculty of Science, Burapha University, Chon Buri 20131, Thailand; (S.N.); (R.P.); (E.C.)
| | - Evada Chotiaroonrat
- Biological Science Program, Faculty of Science, Burapha University, Chon Buri 20131, Thailand; (S.N.); (R.P.); (E.C.)
| | - Christopher L. Mayack
- Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, 34956 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Guntima Suwannapong
- Biological Science Program, Faculty of Science, Burapha University, Chon Buri 20131, Thailand; (S.N.); (R.P.); (E.C.)
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Mayack C, Broadrup RL, Schick SJ, Eppley EJ, Khan Z, Macherone A. Increased alarm pheromone component is associated with Nosema ceranae infected honeybee colonies. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:210194. [PMID: 34007462 PMCID: PMC8079991 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.210194&domain=pdf&date_stamp=2021-04-28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Use of chemicals, such as alarm pheromones, for rapid communication with conspecifics is widespread throughout evolutionary history. Such chemicals are particularly important for social insects, such as the honeybee (Apis mellifera), because they are used for collective decision-making, coordinating activities and self-organization of the group. What is less understood is how these pheromones change due to an infection and what the implications might be for social communication. We used semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (sqPCR) to screen for a common microsporidian gut parasite, Nosema ceranae, for 30 hives, across 10 different locations. We then used high-resolution accurate mass gas chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry to generate an exposome profile for each hive. Of the 2352 chemical features identified, chemicals associated with infection were filtered for cosanes or cosenes. A significant association was found between N. ceranae and the presence of (Z)-11-eicosen-1-ol, a known alarm pheromone component. The increase in (Z)-11-eicosen-1-ol could be the recognition mechanism for healthy individuals to care for, kill, or quarantine infected nestmates. Nosema ceranae has contributed to the global decline in bee health. Therefore, altered alarm pheromones might play a role in disrupting social harmony and have potential impacts on colony health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Mayack
- Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering Program, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey
- Biology Department, Swarthmore College, 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA, USA
| | - Robert L. Broadrup
- Department of Chemistry, Haverford College, Haverford, PA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Lafayette College, Easton, PA 18042, USA
| | - Sassicaia J. Schick
- Biology Department, Swarthmore College, 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA, USA
| | - Elizabeth J. Eppley
- Biology Department, Swarthmore College, 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA, USA
| | - Zaeema Khan
- Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering Program, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Anthony Macherone
- Life Science and Chemical Analysis Group, Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA 95051, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Mayack C, Broadrup RL, Schick SJ, Eppley EJ, Khan Z, Macherone A. Increased alarm pheromone component is associated with Nosema ceranae infected honeybee colonies. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:210194. [PMID: 34007462 PMCID: PMC8079991 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.210194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Use of chemicals, such as alarm pheromones, for rapid communication with conspecifics is widespread throughout evolutionary history. Such chemicals are particularly important for social insects, such as the honeybee (Apis mellifera), because they are used for collective decision-making, coordinating activities and self-organization of the group. What is less understood is how these pheromones change due to an infection and what the implications might be for social communication. We used semiquantitative polymerase chain reaction (sqPCR) to screen for a common microsporidian gut parasite, Nosema ceranae, for 30 hives, across 10 different locations. We then used high-resolution accurate mass gas chromatography-quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry to generate an exposome profile for each hive. Of the 2352 chemical features identified, chemicals associated with infection were filtered for cosanes or cosenes. A significant association was found between N. ceranae and the presence of (Z)-11-eicosen-1-ol, a known alarm pheromone component. The increase in (Z)-11-eicosen-1-ol could be the recognition mechanism for healthy individuals to care for, kill, or quarantine infected nestmates. Nosema ceranae has contributed to the global decline in bee health. Therefore, altered alarm pheromones might play a role in disrupting social harmony and have potential impacts on colony health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Mayack
- Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering Program, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey
- Biology Department, Swarthmore College, 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA, USA
| | - Robert L. Broadrup
- Department of Chemistry, Haverford College, Haverford, PA, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Lafayette College, Easton, PA 18042, USA
| | - Sassicaia J. Schick
- Biology Department, Swarthmore College, 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA, USA
| | - Elizabeth J. Eppley
- Biology Department, Swarthmore College, 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA, USA
| | - Zaeema Khan
- Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering Program, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Anthony Macherone
- Life Science and Chemical Analysis Group, Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA 95051, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Cameron TC, Wiles D, Beddoe T. Current Status of Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Technologies for the Detection of Honey Bee Pathogens. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:659683. [PMID: 33912610 PMCID: PMC8071855 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.659683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Approximately one-third of the typical human Western diet depends upon pollination for production, and honey bees (Apis mellifera) are the primary pollinators of numerous food crops, including fruits, nuts, vegetables, and oilseeds. Regional large scale losses of managed honey bee populations have increased significantly during the last decade. In particular, asymptomatic infection of honey bees with viruses and bacterial pathogens are quite common, and co-pathogenic interaction with other pathogens have led to more severe and frequent colony losses. Other multiple environmental stress factors, including agrochemical exposure, lack of quality forage, and reduced habitat, have all contributed to the considerable negative impact upon bee health. The ability to accurately diagnose diseases early could likely lead to better management and treatment strategies. While many molecular diagnostic tests such as real-time PCR and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry have been developed to detect honey bee pathogens, they are not field-deployable and thus cannot support local apiary husbandry decision-making for disease control. Here we review the field-deployable technology termed loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and its application to diagnose honey bee infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy C Cameron
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Science, Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Centre for Livestock Interactions With Pathogens, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Danielle Wiles
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Science, Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Centre for Livestock Interactions With Pathogens, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Travis Beddoe
- Department of Animal, Plant and Soil Science, Centre for AgriBioscience, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Centre for Livestock Interactions With Pathogens, La Trobe University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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14
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He N, Zhang Y, Duan XL, Li JH, Huang WF, Evans JD, DeGrandi-Hoffman G, Chen YP, Huang SK. RNA Interference-Mediated Knockdown of Genes Encoding Spore Wall Proteins Confers Protection against Nosema ceranae Infection in the European Honey Bee, Apis mellifera. Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9030505. [PMID: 33673613 PMCID: PMC7997338 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9030505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Nosema ceranae (Opisthosporidia: Microsporidia) is an emergent intracellular parasite of the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) and causes serious Nosema disease which has been associated with worldwide honey bee colony losses. The only registered treatment for Nosema disease is fumagillin-b, and this has raised concerns about resistance and off-target effects. Fumagillin-B is banned from use in honey bee colonies in many countries, particularly in Europe. As a result, there is an urgent need for new and effective therapeutic options to treat Nosema disease in honey bees. An RNA interference (RNAi)-based approach can be a potent strategy for controlling diseases in honey bees. We explored the therapeutic potential of silencing the sequences of two N. ceranae encoded spore wall protein (SWP) genes by means of the RNAi-based methodology. Our study revealed that the oral ingestion of dsRNAs corresponding to SWP8 and SWP12 used separately or in combination could lead to a significant reduction in spore load, improve immunity, and extend the lifespan of N. ceranae-infected bees. The results from the work completed here enhance our understanding of honey bee host responses to microsporidia infection and highlight that RNAi-based therapeutics are a promising treatment for honey bee diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan He
- College of Animal Sciences (Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Conservation and Resource Utilization, Guangdong Public Laboratory of Wild Animal Conservation and Utilization, Institute of Zoology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guanzhou 510260, China
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Xin Le Duan
- College of Animal Sciences (Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Jiang Hong Li
- College of Animal Sciences (Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Wei-Fone Huang
- College of Animal Sciences (Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Jay D Evans
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | | | - Yan Ping Chen
- U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service Bee Research Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA
| | - Shao Kang Huang
- College of Animal Sciences (Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
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15
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Mayack C, Carmichael K, Phalen N, Khan Z, Hirche F, Stangl GI, White HK. Gas chromatography - Mass spectrometry as a preferred method for quantification of insect hemolymph sugars. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2020; 127:104115. [PMID: 32976817 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2020.104115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 09/16/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Insects, due to their small size, have limited energy storage space, but they also have high metabolic rate, so their hemolymph sugars are incredibly dynamic and play a number of important physiological functional roles in maintaining energetic homeostasis. In contrast to vertebrates, trehalose is generally the primary sugar found in insect hemolymph, which is followed by glucose and fructose. Many analytical chemistry methods exist to measure sugars, yet a direct comparison of methods that can measure all three simultaneously, and trehalose in particular, from low sample volumes, are sparse. Using the honey bee as a model, we directly compare the leading current methods of using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with an evaporative light-scattering detector and Gas Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) to determine which method would be better for measuring trehalose, glucose, and fructose in terms of reproducibility, accuracy, and sensitivity. Furthermore, we injected the enzyme inhibitors trehalozin (a trehalase inhibitor) and sorbose (a trehalase p-synthase inhibitor) to manipulate the trehalose levels in honey bee foragers as a proof of concept that this sugar can be altered independently of hemolymph glucose and fructose levels. Overall the HPLC method was less reproducible for measuring fructose and glucose, and it also had lower sensitivity for measuring trehalose. Consequently, significant differences in trehalose levels within the forager class were only detected with the GC-MS and not the HPLC method. Lastly, using the GC-MS method in the follow up study we found that trehalozin and sorbose causes a significant increase and decrease of trehalose levels respectively, in forager honey bees, independent of the glucose and fructose levels, ten minutes after injection. Taken together, these methods will provide useful tools for future studies exploring the many different physiological functional roles that trehalose can play in maintaining insect energetic homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Mayack
- Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering Program, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey; Biology Department, Swarthmore College, 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA, USA; Institute for Biology/General Zoology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany.
| | - Kathleen Carmichael
- Biology Department, Swarthmore College, 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, 185 Meeting Street, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Nicole Phalen
- Biology Department, Swarthmore College, 500 College Avenue, Swarthmore, PA, USA; Yale School of Nursing, 400 West Campus Drive, Orange, CT, USA
| | - Zaeema Khan
- Molecular Biology, Genetics and Bioengineering Program, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci University, Tuzla, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Frank Hirche
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Gabriele I Stangl
- Institute of Agricultural and Nutritional Sciences, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Helen K White
- Department of Chemistry, Haverford College, 370 Lancaster Avenue, Haverford, PA, USA
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Effect of Immune Inducers on Nosema ceranae Multiplication and Their Impact on Honey Bee ( Apis mellifera L.) Survivorship and Behaviors. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11090572. [PMID: 32858847 PMCID: PMC7563691 DOI: 10.3390/insects11090572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Nosema disease of honey bees is caused by the fungus Nosema ceranae, which multiplies and damages cells lining the digestive tract, impairing food digestion and debilitating the bees. Current control involves using antibiotics, which is undesirable because of possible antibiotic resistance of the fungus and contamination of honey. In this study, the natural compounds flagellin, zymosan, chitosan and peptidoglycan were investigated as alternatives for controlling Nosema ceranae infections and for their effect on bee survivorship and behaviors. Chitosan and peptidoglycan reduced infection and increased survivorship of infected bees. However, neither compound altered the bees’ hygienic behavior, which was also not affected by the infection. Chitosan treated bees collected more pollen and nectar than healthy and infected bees. Memory in the bees was temporarily impaired by chitosan but was not affected by peptidoglycan, nor was it affected by Nosema ceranae. This study shows that chitosan and peptidoglycan provide benefits by partially reducing Nosema ceranae infection while increasing survivorship of honey bees. Also, chitosan and peptidoglycan increased the collection of pollen and nectar, which may improve bee health and colony productivity. These benefits could result in more honey produced, more crops pollinated and more healthy bee colonies. Abstract Nosema disease is a major disease of honey bees caused by two species of microsporidia, Nosema apis and N. ceranae. Current control involves using antibiotics, which is undesirable because of possible antibiotic resistance and contamination. In this study, flagellin, zymosan, chitosan, and peptidoglycan were investigated as alternatives for controlling N. ceranae infections and for their effect on bee survivorship and behaviors. Chitosan and peptidoglycan significantly reduced the infection, and significantly increased survivorship of infected bees, with chitosan being more effective. However, neither compound altered the bees’ hygienic behavior, which was also not affected by the infection. Chitosan significantly increased pollen foraging and both compounds significantly increased non-pollen foraging compared to healthy and infected bees. Memory retention, evaluated with the proboscis extension reflex assay, was temporarily impaired by chitosan but was not affected by peptidoglycan, nor was it affected by N. ceranae infection compared to the non-infected bees. This study indicates that chitosan and peptidoglycan provide benefits by partially reducing N. ceranae spore numbers while increasing survivorship compared to N. ceranae infected bees. Also, chitosan and peptidoglycan improved aspects of foraging behavior even more than in healthy bees, showing that they may act as stimulators of important honey bee behaviors.
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Comper JR, Eberl HJ. Mathematical modelling of population and food storage dynamics in a honey bee colony infected with Nosema ceranae. Heliyon 2020; 6:e04599. [PMID: 32904273 PMCID: PMC7452510 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e04599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Unusually high wintering losses of Apis mellifera in recent years has raised concerns regarding the well-being and productivity of honey bees across the globe. While these losses are likely multi-factorial, a proposed contributor are diseases, including those caused by parasites. We formulate and present a mathematical model for a colony of Apis mellifera honey bees infected with the microsporidian parasite Nosema ceranae. The model is numerically analyzed to determine the effects of N. ceranae infection on population and food storage dynamics and their subsequent implications towards colony survival and annual honey yield. Depending on the strength of disease, it is possible for either parasite fadeout, co-existence between bees and N. ceranae, or colony failure to occur. In all cases, the yield of honey collected by the beekeeper is reduced. We further extend the model to include various treatment schemes with the, now discontinued, antimicrobial fumagillin. Treatment with fumagillin can reduce the risk of colony failure and will increase honey yield compared to when no treatment is applied.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Reilly Comper
- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph, Guelph ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Hermann J. Eberl
- Department of Mathematics and Statistics University of Guelph, Guelph ON, N1G 2W1, Canada
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18
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Corby-Harris V, Deeter ME, Snyder L, Meador C, Welchert AC, Hoffman A, Obernesser BT. Octopamine mobilizes lipids from honey bee ( Apis mellifera) hypopharyngeal glands. J Exp Biol 2020; 223:jeb216135. [PMID: 32139471 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.216135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Recent widespread honey bee (Apis mellifera) colony loss is attributed to a variety of stressors, including parasites, pathogens, pesticides and poor nutrition. In principle, we can reduce stress-induced declines in colony health by either removing the stressor or increasing the bees' tolerance to the stressor. This latter option requires a better understanding than we currently have of how honey bees respond to stress. Here, we investigated how octopamine, a stress-induced hormone that mediates invertebrate physiology and behavior, influences the health of young nurse-aged bees. Specifically, we asked whether octopamine induces abdominal lipid and hypopharyngeal gland (HG) degradation, two physiological traits of stressed nurse bees. Nurse-aged workers were treated topically with octopamine and their abdominal lipid content, HG size and HG autophagic gene expression were measured. Hemolymph lipid titer was measured to determine whether tissue degradation was associated with the release of nutrients from these tissues into the hemolymph. The HGs of octopamine-treated bees were smaller than control bees and had higher levels of HG autophagy gene expression. Octopamine-treated bees also had higher levels of hemolymph lipid compared with control bees. Abdominal lipids did not change in response to octopamine. Our findings support the hypothesis that the HGs are a rich source of stored energy that can be mobilized during periods of stress.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Megan E Deeter
- Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, USDA-ARS, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
| | - Lucy Snyder
- Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, USDA-ARS, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
| | - Charlotte Meador
- Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, USDA-ARS, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
| | - Ashley C Welchert
- Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
| | - Amelia Hoffman
- Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, USDA-ARS, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
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19
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Gage SL, Calle S, Jacobson N, Carroll M, DeGrandi-Hoffman G. Pollen Alters Amino Acid Levels in the Honey Bee Brain and This Relationship Changes With Age and Parasitic Stress. Front Neurosci 2020; 14:231. [PMID: 32265638 PMCID: PMC7105889 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.00231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pollen nutrition is necessary for proper growth and development of adult honey bees. Yet, it is unclear how pollen affects the honey bee brain and behavior. We investigated whether pollen affects amino acids in the brains of caged, nurse-aged bees, and what the behavioral consequences might be. We also tested whether parasitic stress altered this relationship by analyzing bees infected with prevalent stressor, Nosema ceranae. Levels of 18 amino acids in individual honey bee brains were measured using Gas Chromatography – Mass Spectrometry at two different ages (Day 7 and Day 11). We then employed the proboscis extension reflex to test odor learning and memory. We found that the honey bee brain was highly responsive to pollen. Many amino acids in the brain were elevated and were present at higher concentration with age. The majority of these amino acids were non-essential. Without pollen, levels of amino acids remained consistent, or declined. Nosema-infected bees showed a different profile. Infection altered amino acid levels in a pollen-dependent manner. The majority of amino acids were lower when pollen was given, but higher when pollen was deprived. Odor learning and memory was not affected by feeding pollen to uninfected bees; but pollen did improve performance in Nosema-infected bees. These results suggest that pollen in early adulthood continues to shape amino acid levels in the brain with age, which may affect neural circuitry and behavior over time. Parasitic stress by N. ceranae modifies this relationship revealing an interaction between infection, pollen nutrition, and behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L Gage
- Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Samantha Calle
- Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Natalia Jacobson
- Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Mark Carroll
- Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Tucson, AZ, United States
| | - Gloria DeGrandi-Hoffman
- Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Tucson, AZ, United States
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20
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Mura A, Pusceddu M, Theodorou P, Angioni A, Floris I, Paxton RJ, Satta A. Propolis Consumption Reduces Nosema ceranae Infection of European Honey Bees ( Apis mellifera). INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11020124. [PMID: 32075232 PMCID: PMC7074184 DOI: 10.3390/insects11020124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Nosema ceranae is a widespread obligate intracellular parasite of the ventriculus of many species of honey bee (Apis), including the Western honey bee Apis mellifera, in which it may lead to colony death. It can be controlled in A. mellifera by feeding the antibiotic fumagillin to a colony, though this product is toxic to humans and its use has now been banned in many countries, so in beekeeping, there exists a need for alternative and safe products effective against N. ceranae. Honeybees produce propolis from resinous substances collected from plants and use it to protect their nest from parasites and pathogens; propolis is thought to decrease the microbial load of the hive. We hypothesized that propolis might also reduce N. ceranae infection of individual bees and that they might consume propolis as a form of self-medication. To test these hypotheses, we evaluated the effects of an ethanolic extract of propolis administered orally on the longevity and spore load of experimentally N. ceranae-infected worker bees and also tested whether infected bees were more attracted to, and consumed a greater proportion of, a diet containing propolis in comparison to uninfected bees. Propolis extracts and ethanol (solvent control) increased the lifespan of N. ceranae-infected bees, but only propolis extract significantly reduced spore load. Our propolis extract primarily contained derivatives of caffeic acid, ferulic acid, ellagic acid and quercetin. Choice, scan sampling and food consumption tests did not reveal any preference of N. ceranae-infected bees for commercial candy containing propolis. Our research supports the hypothesis that propolis represents an effective and safe product to control N. ceranae but worker bees seem not to use it to self-medicate when infected with this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Mura
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.); (M.P.); (I.F.)
| | - Michelina Pusceddu
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.); (M.P.); (I.F.)
| | - Panagiotis Theodorou
- General Zoology, Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (P.T.); (R.J.P.)
| | - Alberto Angioni
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy;
| | - Ignazio Floris
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.); (M.P.); (I.F.)
| | - Robert J. Paxton
- General Zoology, Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany; (P.T.); (R.J.P.)
| | - Alberto Satta
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (A.M.); (M.P.); (I.F.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-079229364; Fax: +39-079229329
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Burnham AJ. Scientific Advances in Controlling Nosema ceranae ( Microsporidia) Infections in Honey Bees ( Apis mellifera). Front Vet Sci 2019; 6:79. [PMID: 30931319 PMCID: PMC6428737 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2019.00079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are agriculturally important pollinators that have been recently at risk to severe colony losses. A variety of parasites and pathogens have been linked to colony decline, including the microsporidian parasite Nosema ceranae. While fumagillin has been used to control nosemosis in managed honey bee colonies for decades, research shows that this antibiotic poses a toxic threat and that its efficacy against N. ceranae is uncertain. There is certainly a demand for a new veterinary medication to treat honey bee colonies infected with N. ceranae. In this review, recent scientific advances in controlling N. ceranae infections in honey bees are summarized.
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Broadrup RL, Mayack C, Schick SJ, Eppley EJ, White HK, Macherone A. Honey bee (Apis mellifera) exposomes and dysregulated metabolic pathways associated with Nosema ceranae infection. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0213249. [PMID: 30845162 PMCID: PMC6405199 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0213249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2018] [Accepted: 02/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Honey bee (Apis mellifera) health has been severely impacted by multiple environmental stressors including parasitic infection, pesticide exposure, and poor nutrition. The decline in bee health is therefore a complex multifactorial problem which requires a holistic investigative approach. Within the exposome paradigm, the combined exposure to the environment, drugs, food, and individuals’ internal biochemistry affects health in positive and negative ways. In the context of the exposome, honey bee hive infection with parasites such as Nosema ceranae is also a form of environmental exposure. In this study, we hypothesized that exposure to xenobiotic pesticides and other environmental chemicals increases susceptibility to N. ceranae infection upon incidental exposure to the parasite. We further queried whether these exposures could be linked to changes in conserved metabolic biological pathways. From 30 hives sampled across 10 sites, a total of 2,352 chemical features were found via gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF) in extracts of honey bees collected from each hive. Of these, 20 pesticides were identified and annotated, and found to be significantly associated with N. ceranae infection. We further determined that infected hives were linked to a greater number of xenobiotic exposures, and the relative concentration of the exposures were not linked to the presence of a N. ceranae infection. In the exposome profiles of the bees, we also found chemicals inherent to known biological metabolic pathways of Apis mellifera and identified 9 dysregulated pathways. These findings have led us to posit that for hives exposed to similar chemicals, those that incur multiple, simultaneous xenobiotic stressors have a greater incidence of infection with N. ceranae. Mechanistically, our results suggests the overwhelming nature of these exposures negatively affects the biological functioning of the bee, and could explain how the decline in bee populations is associated with pesticide exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert L. Broadrup
- Department of Chemistry, Haverford College, Haverford, PA, United States of America
| | - Christopher Mayack
- Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA, United States of America
- Molecular Biology, Genetics, and Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabancı University, İstanbul, Turkey
- * E-mail:
| | - Sassicaia J. Schick
- Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth J. Eppley
- Department of Biology, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA, United States of America
| | - Helen K. White
- Department of Chemistry, Haverford College, Haverford, PA, United States of America
| | - Anthony Macherone
- Life Science and Chemical Analysis Group, Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, CA, United States of America
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States of America
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Huang SK, Ye KT, Huang WF, Ying BH, Su X, Lin LH, Li JH, Chen YP, Li JL, Bao XL, Hu JZ. Influence of Feeding Type and Nosema ceranae Infection on the Gut Microbiota of Apis cerana Workers. mSystems 2018; 3:e00177-18. [PMID: 30417114 PMCID: PMC6222045 DOI: 10.1128/msystems.00177-18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The gut microbiota plays an essential role in the health of bees. To elucidate the effect of feed and Nosema ceranae infection on the gut microbiota of honey bee (Apis cerana), we used 16S rRNA sequencing to survey the gut microbiota of honey bee workers fed with sugar water or beebread and inoculated with or without N. ceranae. The gut microbiota of A. cerana is dominated by Serratia, Snodgrassella, and Lactobacillus genera. The overall gut microbiota diversity was show to be significantly differential by feeding type. N. ceranae infection significantly affects the gut microbiota only in bees fed with sugar water. Higher abundances of Lactobacillus, Gluconacetobacter, and Snodgrassella and lower abundances of Serratia were found in bees fed with beebread than in those fed with sugar water. N. ceranae infection led to a higher abundance of Snodgrassella and a lower abundance of Serratia in sugar-fed bees. Imputed bacterial Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways showed the significant metagenomics functional differences by feeding and N. ceranae infections. Furthermore, A. cerana workers fed with sugar water showed lower N. ceranae spore loads but higher mortality than those fed with beebread. The cumulative mortality was strongly positive correlated (rho = 0.61) with the changes of overall microbiota dissimilarities by N. ceranae infection. Both feeding types and N. ceranae infection significantly affect the gut microbiota in A. cerana workers. Beebread not only provides better nutrition but also helps establish a more stable gut microbiota and therefore protects bees in response to N. ceranae infection. IMPORTANCE The gut microbiota plays an essential role in the health of bees. Scientific evidence suggests that diet and infection can affect the gut microbiota and modulate the health of the gut; however, the interplay between those two factors and the bee gut microbiota is not well known. In this study, we used a high-throughput sequencing method to monitor the changes of gut microbiota associated with both feeding types and Nosema ceranae infection. Our results showed that the gut microbiota composition and diversity of Asian honey bee were significantly associated with both feeding types and the N. ceranae infection. More interestingly, bees fed with beebread showed higher microbiota stability and lower mortality rates than those fed with sugar water when infected by N. ceranae. Those data suggest that beebread has the potential not only to provide better nutrition but also help to establish a more stable gut microbiota to protect bees against N. ceranae infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao K. Huang
- College of Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fujian, China
| | - Kun T. Ye
- College of Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fujian, China
| | - Wei F. Huang
- College of Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fujian, China
| | - Bi H. Ying
- College of Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fujian, China
| | - Xin Su
- College of Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fujian, China
| | - Li H. Lin
- College of Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fujian, China
| | - Jiang H. Li
- College of Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fujian, China
| | - Yan P. Chen
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Lab, Beltsville, Maryland, USA
| | - Ji L. Li
- Key Laboratory of Pollinating Insect Biology of the Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Science, Beijing, China
| | - Xiu L. Bao
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jian Z. Hu
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
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24
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Bernardo MA, Singer MS. Parasite-altered feeding behavior in insects: integrating functional and mechanistic research frontiers. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 220:2848-2857. [PMID: 28814608 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.143800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Research on parasite-altered feeding behavior in insects is contributing to an emerging literature that considers possible adaptive consequences of altered feeding behavior for the host or the parasite. Several recent ecoimmunological studies show that insects can adaptively alter their foraging behavior in response to parasitism. Another body of recent work shows that infection by parasites can change the behavior of insect hosts to benefit the parasite; manipulations of host feeding behavior may be part of this phenomenon. Here, we address both the functional and the underlying physiological frontiers of parasite-altered feeding behavior in order to spur research that better integrates the two. Functional categories of parasite-altered behavior that are adaptive for the host include prophylaxis, therapy and compensation, while host manipulation is adaptive for the parasite. To better understand and distinguish prophylaxis, therapy and compensation, further study of physiological feedbacks affecting host sensory systems is especially needed. For host manipulation in particular, research on mechanisms by which parasites control host feedbacks will be important to integrate with functional approaches. We see this integration as critical to advancing the field of parasite-altered feeding behavior, which may be common in insects and consequential for human and environmental health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Michael S Singer
- Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT 06105, USA
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25
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Li G, Zhao H, Liu Z, Wang H, Xu B, Guo X. The Wisdom of Honeybee Defenses Against Environmental Stresses. Front Microbiol 2018; 9:722. [PMID: 29765357 PMCID: PMC5938604 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2018.00722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
As one of the predominant pollinator, honeybees provide important ecosystem service to crops and wild plants, and generate great economic benefit for humans. Unfortunately, there is clear evidence of recent catastrophic honeybee colony failure in some areas, resulting in markedly negative environmental and economic effects. It has been demonstrated that various environmental stresses, including both abiotic and biotic stresses, functioning singly or synergistically, are the potential drivers of colony collapse. Honeybees can use many defense mechanisms to decrease the damage from environmental stress to some extent. Here, we synthesize and summarize recent advances regarding the effects of environmental stress on honeybees and the wisdom of honeybees to respond to external environmental stress. Furthermore, we provide possible future research directions about the response of honeybees to various form of stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Hang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Zhenguo Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Hongfang Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Baohua Xu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
| | - Xingqi Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Crop Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, China
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26
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Martín-Hernández R, Bartolomé C, Chejanovsky N, Le Conte Y, Dalmon A, Dussaubat C, García-Palencia P, Meana A, Pinto MA, Soroker V, Higes M. Nosema ceranaeinApis mellifera: a 12 years postdetectionperspective. Environ Microbiol 2018; 20:1302-1329. [DOI: 10.1111/1462-2920.14103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2017] [Revised: 03/07/2018] [Accepted: 03/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Martín-Hernández
- Laboratorio de Patología Apícola. Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental de Marchamalo, (CIAPA-IRIAF), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha; Marchamalo Spain
- Instituto de Recursos Humanos para la Ciencia y la Tecnología (INCRECYT-FEDER), Fundación Parque Científico y Tecnológico de Castilla - La Mancha; Spain
| | - Carolina Bartolomé
- Medicina Xenómica, CIMUS, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela. Xenómica Comparada de Parásitos Humanos, IDIS, 15782 Santiago de Compostela; Galicia Spain
| | - Nor Chejanovsky
- Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center; Rishon LeZion Israel
| | - Yves Le Conte
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement; F-84000 Avignon France
| | - Anne Dalmon
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement; F-84000 Avignon France
| | | | | | - Aranzazu Meana
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid; Spain
| | - M. Alice Pinto
- Mountain Research Centre (CIMO), Polytechnic Institute of Bragança; 5300-253 Bragança Portugal
| | - Victoria Soroker
- Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Center; Rishon LeZion Israel
| | - Mariano Higes
- Laboratorio de Patología Apícola. Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental de Marchamalo, (CIAPA-IRIAF), Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha; Marchamalo Spain
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27
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Paris L, El Alaoui H, Delbac F, Diogon M. Effects of the gut parasite Nosema ceranae on honey bee physiology and behavior. CURRENT OPINION IN INSECT SCIENCE 2018; 26:149-154. [PMID: 29764655 DOI: 10.1016/j.cois.2018.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/16/2018] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The common and widespread parasite Nosema ceranae is considered a major threat to the Western honey bee at both the individual and colony levels. Several studies demonstrated that infection by this parasite may affect physiology, behavior, and survival of honey bees. N. ceranae infection impairs midgut integrity and alters the energy demand in honey bees. The infection can also significantly suppress the bee immune response and modify pheromone production in worker and queen honey bees leading to precocious foraging. However, the presence of N. ceranae is not systematically associated with colony weakening and honey bee mortality. This variability depends upon parasite or host genetics, nutrition, climate or interactions with other stressors such as environmental contaminants or other parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurianne Paris
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, LMGE, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Hicham El Alaoui
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, LMGE, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Frédéric Delbac
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, LMGE, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
| | - Marie Diogon
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, LMGE, F-63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
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28
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Gage SL, Kramer C, Calle S, Carroll M, Heien M, DeGrandi-Hoffman G. Nosema ceranae parasitism impacts olfactory learning and memory and neurochemistry in honey bees ( Apis mellifera). ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 221:jeb.161489. [PMID: 29361577 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.161489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nosema sp. is an internal parasite of the honey bee, Apis mellifera, and one of the leading contributors to colony losses worldwide. This parasite is found in the honey bee midgut and has profound consequences for the host's physiology. Nosema sp. impairs foraging performance in honey bees, yet, it is unclear whether this parasite affects the bee's neurobiology. In this study, we examined whether Nosema sp. affects odor learning and memory and whether the brains of parasitized bees show differences in amino acids and biogenic amines. We took newly emerged bees and fed them with Nosema ceranae At approximate nurse and forager ages, we employed an odor-associative conditioning assay using the proboscis extension reflex and two bioanalytical techniques to measure changes in brain chemistry. We found that nurse-aged bees infected with N. ceranae significantly outperformed controls in odor learning and memory, suggestive of precocious foraging, but by forager age, infected bees showed deficits in learning and memory. We also detected significant differences in amino acid concentrations, some of which were age specific, as well as altered serotonin, octopamine, dopamine and l-dopa concentrations in the brains of parasitized bees. These findings suggest that N. ceranae infection affects honey bee neurobiology and may compromise behavioral tasks. These results yield new insight into the host-parasite dynamic of honey bees and N. ceranae, as well as the neurochemistry of odor learning and memory under normal and parasitic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie L Gage
- Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, USDA-ARS, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA .,Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Catherine Kramer
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Samantha Calle
- Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, USDA-ARS, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
| | - Mark Carroll
- Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, USDA-ARS, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA
| | - Michael Heien
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
| | - Gloria DeGrandi-Hoffman
- Carl Hayden Bee Research Center, USDA-ARS, Tucson, AZ 85719, USA.,Department of Entomology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
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29
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Chronic Nosema ceranae infection inflicts comprehensive and persistent immunosuppression and accelerated lipid loss in host Apis mellifera honey bees. Int J Parasitol 2018; 48:433-444. [PMID: 29452081 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Nosema ceranae is an intracellular microsporidian parasite of the Asian honey bee Apis cerana and the European honey bee Apis mellifera. Until relatively recently, A. mellifera honey bees were naïve to N. ceranae infection. Symptoms of nosemosis, or Nosema disease, in the infected hosts include immunosuppression, damage to gut epithelium, nutrient and energetic stress, precocious foraging and reduced longevity of infected bees. Links remain unclear between immunosuppression, the symptoms of nutrient and energetic stress, and precocious foraging behavior of hosts. To clarify physiological connections, we inoculated newly emerged A. mellifera adult workers with N. ceranae spores, and over 21 days post inoculation (21 days pi), gauged infection intensity and quantified expression of genes representing two innate immune pathways, Toll and Imd. Additionally, we measured each host's whole-body protein, lipids, carbohydrates and quantified respirometric and activity levels. Results show sustained suppression of genes of both humorally regulated immune response pathways after 6 days pi. At 7 days pi, elevated protein levels of infected bees may reflect synthesis of antimicrobial peptides from an initial immune response, but the lack of protein gain compared with uninfected bees at 14 days pi may represent low de novo protein synthesis. Carbohydrate data do not indicate that hosts experience severe metabolic stress related to this nutrient. At 14 days pi infected honey bees show high respirometric and activity levels, and corresponding lipid loss, suggesting lipids may be used as fuel for increased metabolic demands resulting from infection. Accelerated lipid loss during nurse honey bee behavioral development can have cascading effects on downstream physiology that may lead to precocious foraging, which is a major factor driving colony collapse.
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30
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Marchal E, Schellens S, Monjon E, Bruyninckx E, Marco HG, Gäde G, Vanden Broeck J, Verlinden H. Analysis of Peptide Ligand Specificity of Different Insect Adipokinetic Hormone Receptors. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19020542. [PMID: 29439466 PMCID: PMC5855764 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19020542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/08/2018] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Adipokinetic hormone (AKH) is a highly researched insect neuropeptide that induces the mobilization of carbohydrates and lipids from the fat body at times of high physical activity, such as flight and locomotion. As a naturally occurring ligand, AKH has undergone quite a number of amino acid changes throughout evolution, and in some insect species multiple AKHs are present. AKH acts by binding to a rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptor, which is related to the vertebrate gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptors. In the current study, we have cloned AKH receptors (AKHRs) from seven different species, covering a wide phylogenetic range of insect orders: the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, and the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Diptera); the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, and the large pine weevil, Hylobius abietis (Coleoptera); the honeybee, Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera); the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Hemiptera); and the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Orthoptera). The agonistic activity of different insect AKHs, including the respective endogenous AKHs, at these receptors was tested with a bioluminescence-based assay in Chinese hamster ovary cells. All receptors were activated by their endogenous ligand in the nanomolar range. Based on our data, we can refute the previously formulated hypothesis that a functional AKH signaling system is absent in the beneficial species, Apis mellifera. Furthermore, our data also suggest that some of the investigated AKH receptors, such as the mosquito AKHR, are more selective for the endogenous (conspecific) ligand, while others, such as the locust AKHR, are more promiscuous and can be activated by AKHs from many other insects. This information will be of high importance when further analyzing the potential use of AKHRs as targets for developing novel pest control agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Marchal
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 02465, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Sam Schellens
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 02465, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Emilie Monjon
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 02465, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Evert Bruyninckx
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 02465, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Heather G Marco
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch ZA-7700, South Africa.
| | - Gerd Gäde
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Private Bag, Rondebosch ZA-7700, South Africa.
| | - Jozef Vanden Broeck
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 02465, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Heleen Verlinden
- Molecular Developmental Physiology and Signal Transduction, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 02465, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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31
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Bordier C, Suchail S, Pioz M, Devaud JM, Collet C, Charreton M, Le Conte Y, Alaux C. Stress response in honeybees is associated with changes in task-related physiology and energetic metabolism. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 98:47-54. [PMID: 27908721 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2016.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/22/2016] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
In a rapidly changing environment, honeybee colonies are increasingly exposed to diverse sources of stress (e.g., new parasites, pesticides, climate warming), which represent a challenge to individual and social homeostasis. However, bee physiological responses to stress remain poorly understood. We therefore exposed bees specialised in different tasks (nurses, guards and foragers) to ancient (immune and heat stress) or historically more recent sources of stress (pesticides), and we determined changes in the expression of genes linked to behavioural maturation (vitellogenin - vg and juvenile hormone esterase - jhe) as well as in energetic metabolism (glycogen level, expression level of the receptor to the adipokinetic hormone - akhr, and endothermic performance). While acute exposure to sublethal doses of two pesticides did not affect vg and jhe expression, immune and heat challenges caused a decrease and increase in both genes, respectively, suggesting that bees had responded to ecologically relevant stressors. Since vg and jhe are expressed to a higher level in nurses than in foragers, it is reasonable to assume that an immune challenge stimulated behavioural maturation to decrease potential contamination risk and that a heat challenge promoted a nurse profile for brood thermoregulation. All behavioural castes responded in the same way. Though endothermic performances did not change upon stress exposure, the akhr level dropped in immune and heat-challenged individuals. Similarly, the abdomen glycogen level tended to decline in immune-challenged bees. Altogether, these results suggest that bee responses are stress specific and adaptive but that they tend to entail a reduction of energetic metabolism that needs to be studied on a longer timescale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Célia Bordier
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Domaine Saint-Paul, CS 40509, 84914 Avignon, France.
| | - Séverine Suchail
- Institut Méditerranéen de Biodiversité et d'Ecologie marine et continentale, IMBE UAPV AMU IRD, Pôle Agrosciences, 301 rue Baruch de Spinoza, 84916 Avignon, France
| | - Maryline Pioz
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Domaine Saint-Paul, CS 40509, 84914 Avignon, France
| | - Jean Marc Devaud
- Centre de Recherches sur la Cognition Animale, Centre de Biologie Intégrative, Université de Toulouse, CNRS, UPS, France
| | - Claude Collet
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Domaine Saint-Paul, CS 40509, 84914 Avignon, France
| | - Mercedes Charreton
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Domaine Saint-Paul, CS 40509, 84914 Avignon, France
| | - Yves Le Conte
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Domaine Saint-Paul, CS 40509, 84914 Avignon, France
| | - Cédric Alaux
- INRA, UR 406 Abeilles et Environnement, Domaine Saint-Paul, CS 40509, 84914 Avignon, France
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32
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Adamo SA. The stress response and immune system share, borrow, and reconfigure their physiological network elements: Evidence from the insects. Horm Behav 2017; 88:25-30. [PMID: 27746212 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2016.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The classic biomedical view is that stress hormone effects on the immune system are largely pathological, especially if the stress is chronic. However, more recent interpretations have focused on the potential adaptive function of these effects. This paper examines stress response-immune system interactions from a physiological network perspective, using insects because of their simpler physiology. For example, stress hormones can reduce disease resistance, yet activating an immune response results in the release of stress hormones in both vertebrates and invertebrates. From a network perspective, this phenomenon is consistent with the 'sharing' of the energy-releasing ability of stress hormones by both the stress response and the immune system. Stress-induced immunosuppression is consistent with the stress response 'borrowing' molecular components from the immune system to increase the capacity of stress-relevant physiological processes (i.e. a trade off). The insect stress hormones octopamine and adipokinetic hormone can also 'reconfigure' the immune system to help compensate for the loss of some of the immune system's molecular resources (e.g. apolipophorin III). This view helps explain seemingly maladaptive interactions between the stress response and immune system. The adaptiveness of stress hormone effects on individual immune components may be apparent only from the perspective of the whole organism. These broad principles will apply to both vertebrates and invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shelley A Adamo
- Dept. Psychology and Neuroscience, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS,Canada, B3H4R2.
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33
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Wells T, Wolf S, Nicholls E, Groll H, Lim KS, Clark SJ, Swain J, Osborne JL, Haughton AJ. Flight performance of actively foraging honey bees is reduced by a common pathogen. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS 2016; 8:728-737. [PMID: 27337097 PMCID: PMC5091639 DOI: 10.1111/1758-2229.12434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Sudden and severe declines in honey bee (Apis mellifera) colony health in the US and Europe have been attributed, in part, to emergent microbial pathogens, however, the mechanisms behind the impact are unclear. Using roundabout flight mills, we measured the flight distance and duration of actively foraging, healthy-looking honey bees sampled from standard colonies, before quantifying the level of infection by Nosema ceranae and Deformed Wing Virus complex (DWV) for each bee. Neither the presence nor the quantity of N. ceranae were at low, natural levels of infection had any effect on flight distance or duration, but presence of DWV reduced flight distance by two thirds and duration by one half. Quantity of DWV was shown to have a significant, but weakly positive relation with flight distance and duration, however, the low amount of variation that was accounted for suggests further investigation by dose-response assays is required. We conclude that widespread, naturally occurring levels of infection by DWV weaken the flight ability of honey bees and high levels of within-colony prevalence are likely to reduce efficiency and increase the cost of resource acquisition. Predictions of implications of pathogens on colony health and function should take account of sublethal effects on flight performance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephan Wolf
- Rothamsted ResearchHarpendenUK
- Present address: School of Biological and Chemical SciencesQueen Mary University of LondonLondonUK
| | - Elizabeth Nicholls
- Rothamsted ResearchHarpendenUK
- Present address: School of Life SciencesUniversity of SussexBrightonUK
| | - Helga Groll
- Rothamsted ResearchHarpendenUK
- Present address: PPD, Granta Park, Great AbingtonCambridgeUK
| | | | | | | | - Juliet L. Osborne
- Rothamsted ResearchHarpendenUK
- Present address: Environment and Sustainability InstituteUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
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34
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Holt HL, Grozinger CM. Approaches and Challenges to Managing Nosema (Microspora: Nosematidae) Parasites in Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Colonies. JOURNAL OF ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY 2016; 109:1487-503. [PMID: 27340190 DOI: 10.1093/jee/tow103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 04/18/2016] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The microsporidia Nosema apis (Zander) and Nosema ceranae (Fries) are common intestinal parasites in honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) colonies. Though globally prevalent, there are mixed reports of Nosema infection costs, with some regions reporting high parasite virulence and colony losses, while others REPORT high Nosema prevalence but few costs. Basic and applied studies are urgently needed to help beekeepers effectively manage Nosema spp., ideally through an integrated pest management approach that allows beekeepers to deploy multiple strategies to control Nosema when Nosema is likely to cause damage to the colonies, rather than using prophylactic treatments. Beekeepers need practical and affordable technologies that facilitate disease diagnosis and science-backed guidelines that recommend when, if at all, to treat infections. In addition, new treatment methods are needed, as there are several problems associated with the chemical use of fumagillin (the only currently extensively studied, but not globally available treatment) to control Nosema parasites. Though selective breeding of Nosema-resistant or tolerant bees may offer a long-term, sustainable solution to Nosema management, other treatments are needed in the interim. Furthermore, the validation of alternative treatment efficacy in field settings is needed along with toxicology assays to ensure that treatments do not have unintended, adverse effects on honey bees or humans. Finally, given variation in Nosema virulence, development of regional management guidelines, rather than universal guidelines, may provide optimal and cost-effective Nosema management, though more research is needed before regional plans can be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly L Holt
- Department of Entomology, Center for Pollinator Research, The Pennsylvania State University, 3A Chemical Ecology Laboratory, University Park, PA, 16802 Current Affiliation: Department of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology, The University of Minnesota, Skok Hall, St. Paul, MN, 55108
| | - Christina M Grozinger
- Department of Entomology, Center for Pollinator Research, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, 1A Chemical Ecology Laboratory, University Park, PA, 16802
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Natsopoulou ME, McMahon DP, Paxton RJ. Parasites modulate within-colony activity and accelerate the temporal polyethism schedule of a social insect, the honey bee. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2015; 70:1019-1031. [PMID: 27397965 PMCID: PMC4917585 DOI: 10.1007/s00265-015-2019-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2015] [Revised: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Task allocation in social insect colonies is generally organised into an age-related division of labour, termed the temporal polyethism schedule, which may in part have evolved to reduce infection of the colony's brood by pests and pathogens. The temporal polyethism schedule is sensitive to colony perturbations that may lead to adaptive changes in task allocation, maintaining colony homeostasis. Though social insects can be infected by a range of parasites, little is known of how these parasites impact within-colony behaviour and the temporal polyethism schedule. We use honey bees (Apis mellifera) experimentally infected by two of their emerging pathogens, Deformed wing virus (DWV), which is relatively understudied concerning its behavioural impact on its host, and the exotic microsporidian Nosema ceranae. We examined parasite effects on host temporal polyethism and patterns of activity within the colony. We found that pathogens accelerated the temporal polyethism schedule, but without reducing host behavioural repertoire. Infected hosts exhibited increased hyperactivity, allocating more time to self-grooming and foraging-related tasks. The strength of behavioural alterations we observed was found to be pathogen specific; behavioural modifications were more pronounced in virus-treated hosts versus N. ceranae-treated hosts, with potential benefits for the colony in terms of reducing within-colony transmission. Investigating the effects of multiple pathogens on behavioural patterns of social insects could play a crucial role in understanding pathogen spread within a colony and their effects on colony social organisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrsini E Natsopoulou
- Institut für Biologie, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Dino P McMahon
- Institute of Biology, Free University Berlin, Schwendenerstr.1, 14195 Berlin, Germany ; Department for Materials and Environment, BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany
| | - Robert J Paxton
- Institut für Biologie, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Hoher Weg 8, 06120 Halle (Saale), Germany
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