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Nguyen TT, Yoo MS, Lee HS, Truong AT, Youn SY, Lee SJ, Kim J, Cho YS. First detection and prevalence of Apis mellifera filamentous virus in Apis mellifera and Varroa destructor in the Republic of Korea. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14105. [PMID: 38890496 PMCID: PMC11189470 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64882-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Apis mellifera filamentous virus (AmFV) is a double-stranded DNA virus that infects Apis mellifera bees. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study aiming to detect and analyse the genetic diversity and prevalence of AmFV in Korean honeybee colonies. Phylogenetic analysis based on baculovirus repeat open reading frame-N gene (Bro-N) sequences revealed that AmFV isolates from the Republic of Korea (ROK) fell into two distinct lineages, with genetic origins in Switzerland and China, with nucleotide similarities of 98.3% and 98.2%, respectively. Our prevalence analysis demonstrated a noteworthy infection rate of AmFV in 545 honeybee colonies, reaching 33.09% in 2022 and increasing to 44.90% by 2023. Intriguingly, we also detected AmFV in Varroa destructor mites, highlighting their potential role as vectors and carriers of AmFV. The presence of AmFV was correlated with an increased infection rate of sacbrood virus, deformed wing virus, Lake Sinai virus 2, black queen cell virus, and Nosema ceranae in honeybee colonies. These findings provide valuable insight into the prevalence and potential transmission mechanisms of AmFV in honeybee colonies in the ROK. The results of this study may be instrumental in the effective management of viral infections in honeybee apiaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thi-Thu Nguyen
- Laboratory of Parasitic and Honeybee Diseases, Bacterial Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Biotechnology, Vietnam Academy of Science & Technology, Ha Noi, 11300, Viet Nam
| | - Mi-Sun Yoo
- Laboratory of Parasitic and Honeybee Diseases, Bacterial Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyang-Sim Lee
- Laboratory of Parasitic and Honeybee Diseases, Bacterial Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - A-Tai Truong
- Faculty of Biotechnology, Thai Nguyen University of Sciences, Thai Nguyen, 250000, Viet Nam
| | - So-Youn Youn
- Laboratory of Parasitic and Honeybee Diseases, Bacterial Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Se-Ji Lee
- Laboratory of Parasitic and Honeybee Diseases, Bacterial Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaemyung Kim
- Laboratory of Parasitic and Honeybee Diseases, Bacterial Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea
| | - Yun Sang Cho
- Laboratory of Parasitic and Honeybee Diseases, Bacterial Disease Division, Department of Animal and Plant Health Research, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gimcheon, 39660, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Johnson BL, Prouty C, Jack CJ, Stuhl C, Ellis JD. Developing a method to rear Varroa destructor in vitro. EXPERIMENTAL & APPLIED ACAROLOGY 2024; 92:795-808. [PMID: 38478141 DOI: 10.1007/s10493-024-00905-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Varroa destructor is a significant mite pest of western honey bees (Apis mellifera). Developing a method to rear and maintain populations of V. destructor in vitro would provide year-round access to the mites, allowing scientists to study their biology, behavior, and control more rapidly. In this study, we determined the impact of various rearing parameters on V. destructor survival and reproduction in vitro. This was done by collecting V. destructor from colonies, placing them in gelatin capsules containing honey bee larvae, and manipulating the following conditions experimentally: rearing temperature, colony source of honey bee larva, behavioral/developmental stages of V. destructor and honey bee larva, and mite:bee larva ratio. Varroa destructor survival was significantly impacted by temperature, colony source of larvae and mite behavioral stage. In addition, V. destructor reproduction was significantly impacted by mite: larva ratio, larval developmental stage, colony source of larva, and temperature. The following conditions optimized mite survival and reproduction in vitro: using a 4:1 mite:larva ratio, beginning the study with late stage uncapped larvae, using mites collected from adult bees, maintaining the rearing temperature at 34.5° C, and screening larval colony source. Ultimately, this research can be used to improve V. destructor in vitro rearing programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brynn L Johnson
- Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, 32611, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Cody Prouty
- Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, 32611, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Cameron J Jack
- Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, 32611, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Charles Stuhl
- Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology, USDA-ARS, 32608, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - James D Ellis
- Honey Bee Research and Extension Laboratory, Entomology and Nematology Department, University of Florida, 32611, Gainesville, FL, USA
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3
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Ulgezen ZN, Van Langevelde F, van Dooremalen C. Stress-induced loss of social resilience in honeybee colonies and its implications on fitness. Proc Biol Sci 2024; 291:20232460. [PMID: 38196354 PMCID: PMC10777151 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Stressors may lead to a shift in the timing of life-history events of species, causing a mismatch with optimal environmental conditions, potentially reducing fitness. In honeybees, the timing of brood rearing and nest emergence in late winter/early spring is critical as colonies need to grow fast after winter to prepare for reproduction. However, the effects of stress on these life-history events in late winter/early spring and the possible consequences are not well understood. Therefore, we tested whether (i) honeybee colonies shift timing of brood rearing and nest emergence as response to stressors, and (ii) if there is a consequent loss of social resilience, reflected in colony fitness (survival, growth and reproduction). We monitored stressed (high load of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor or nutrition restricted) colonies and presumably non-stressed colonies from the beginning of 2020 till spring of 2021. We found that honeybee colonies do not shift the timing of brood rearing and nest emergence in spring as a coping mechanism to stressors. However, we show that there is loss of social resilience in stressed colonies, leading to reduced growth and reproduction. Our study contributes to better understanding the effects of stressors on social resilience in eusocial organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynep N. Ulgezen
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Frank Van Langevelde
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Group, Department of Environmental Sciences, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 3a, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Coby van Dooremalen
- Wageningen Plant Research, Wageningen University & Research, Droevendaalsesteeg 1, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
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4
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Christensen SM, Srinivas SN, McFrederick QS, Danforth BN, Buchmann SL, Vannette RL. Symbiotic bacteria and fungi proliferate in diapause and may enhance overwintering survival in a solitary bee. THE ISME JOURNAL 2024; 18:wrae089. [PMID: 38767866 PMCID: PMC11177884 DOI: 10.1093/ismejo/wrae089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024]
Abstract
Host-microbe interactions underlie the development and fitness of many macroorganisms, including bees. Whereas many social bees benefit from vertically transmitted gut bacteria, current data suggests that solitary bees, which comprise the vast majority of species diversity within bees, lack a highly specialized gut microbiome. Here, we examine the composition and abundance of bacteria and fungi throughout the complete life cycle of the ground-nesting solitary bee Anthophora bomboides standfordiana. In contrast to expectations, immature bee stages maintain a distinct core microbiome consisting of Actinobacterial genera (Streptomyces, Nocardiodes) and the fungus Moniliella spathulata. Dormant (diapausing) larval bees hosted the most abundant and distinctive bacteria and fungi, attaining 33 and 52 times their initial copy number, respectively. We tested two adaptive hypotheses regarding microbial functions for diapausing bees. First, using isolated bacteria and fungi, we found that Streptomyces from brood cells inhibited the growth of multiple pathogenic filamentous fungi, suggesting a role in pathogen protection during overwintering, when bees face high pathogen pressure. Second, sugar alcohol composition changed in tandem with major changes in fungal abundance, suggesting links with bee cold tolerance or overwintering biology. We find that A. bomboides hosts a conserved core microbiome that may provide key fitness advantages through larval development and diapause, which raises the question of how this microbiome is maintained and faithfully transmitted between generations. Our results suggest that focus on microbiomes of mature or active insect developmental stages may overlook stage-specific symbionts and microbial fitness contributions during host dormancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shawn M Christensen
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Sriram N Srinivas
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States
| | - Quinn S McFrederick
- Department of Entomology, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521, United States
| | - Bryan N Danforth
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
| | - Stephen L Buchmann
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85719, United States
| | - Rachel L Vannette
- Department of Entomology and Nematology, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, United States
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5
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Carroll MJ, Brown NJ, Reitz D. Sublethal effects of imidacloprid-contaminated honey stores on colony performance, queens, and worker activities in fall and early winter colonies. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0292376. [PMID: 38165994 PMCID: PMC10760783 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Neonicotinoid-contaminated sugar stores can have both near term and long term effects on honey bees due to their persistence in honey stores. Effects of imidacloprid food stores contaminants were examined in subtropical colonies that experience reduced brood rearing and foraging during overwintering. Colonies were given treatment sugar syrup containing 0 ppb (control), 20 ppb (field relevant), or 100 ppb (above field relevant) imidacloprid over six weeks to simulate contaminated fall nectar. Colonies were evaluated immediately (post-treatment) and 10 weeks (mid-winter) after treatment to compare proximal and latent effects. Post-treatment 0 ppb and 20 ppb colonies had more workers than 100 ppb colonies while 0 ppb colonies more brood than 20 ppb or 100 ppb colonies. Mid-winter 0 ppb and 20 ppb colonies had more workers than 100 ppb colonies and 0 ppb colonies more brood than 100 ppb colonies. Colonies experienced seasonal declines in stored pollen but no treatment effects. Lower 100 ppb colony performance was associated with reduced effort rather than lifespan. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tracking revealed that workers had similar adult lifespans across treatments; however, 100 ppb workers engaged in activities outside the colony for less time than 0 ppb workers. Imidacloprid exposure affected queen but not worker nutritional physiology. Nurses retained well-developed hypopharyngeal glands (as indicated by head protein) across treatments. Mid-winter queens from 0 ppb colonies had marginally higher ovary protein than queens from 100 ppb colonies and more ovary lipids than queens from 20 ppb colonies. However, queen nutrient stores in non-reproductive tissues (fat bodies) did not differ across treatments. Queens from different treatments were attended by comparable numbers of retinue workers and had similar gland contents of four QMP (Queen Mandibular Pheromone) components essential to queen care. High levels of imidacloprid in sugar stores can negatively affect colony performance months after initial storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark J. Carroll
- Carl Hayden Bee Research Center USDA-ARS, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Nicholas J. Brown
- Carl Hayden Bee Research Center USDA-ARS, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
| | - Dylan Reitz
- Carl Hayden Bee Research Center USDA-ARS, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America
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6
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Çakmak I, Kul B, Ben Abdelkader F, Seven Çakmak S. Effects of temperature adjustment with a heating device in weak honey bee colonies in cold seasons. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOMETEOROLOGY 2023; 67:1765-1774. [PMID: 37584760 DOI: 10.1007/s00484-023-02537-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Temperature adjustment was used to buffer against changes in external environmental temperature by a heating device. Two groups of honey bee colonies Apis mellifera anatoliaca were used: one as experimental (20) and the other control (10), which were equalized in terms of the number of brood frames, frames with bees, food, hive materials, and health treatments. The experimental colonies were heated during the cold season, and the temperature and humidity inside the hive were recorded. The number of frames of brood, frames of bees, and Varroa destructor mite numbers were also determined for all hives. Results suggest that the number of brood frames and frames with bees increased significantly in the hives with the heating treatment. However, varroa mite numbers also increased significantly in the heated colonies in comparison to the control colonies. Colony losses were significantly less (15%) in heated colonies compared to a 40% loss in control colonies. This is the first account demonstrating that using simple heating devices can support weak colonies during the cold season in general, and colony losses can be reduced significantly from this heating treatment in cold seasons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ibrahim Çakmak
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Animal Science, Bursa Uludag University, Gorukle Campus, Nilufer, 16059, Bursa, Türkiye.
- Beekeeping Development-Application and Research Center-AGAM, Bursa Uludag University, Gorukle Campus, Nilufer, 16059, Bursa, Türkiye.
| | - Basri Kul
- Vocational School of Technical Science, Electronics and Automation Department, Bursa Uludag University, Gorukle Campus, Nilufer, 16059, Bursa, Türkiye
| | - Faten Ben Abdelkader
- Beekeeping Development-Application and Research Center-AGAM, Bursa Uludag University, Gorukle Campus, Nilufer, 16059, Bursa, Türkiye
- University of Carthage, National Agronomic Institute of Tunisia, 1082, Tunis, Tunisia
| | - Selvinar Seven Çakmak
- Beekeeping Development-Application and Research Center-AGAM, Bursa Uludag University, Gorukle Campus, Nilufer, 16059, Bursa, Türkiye
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ankara University, 06100, Ankara, Türkiye
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7
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Zhu C, Xu X, Zhou S, Zhou B, Liu Y, Xu H, Tian Y, Zhu X. WGCNA based identification of hub genes associated with cold response and development in Apis mellifera metamorphic pupae. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1169301. [PMID: 37250124 PMCID: PMC10213956 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1169301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Honeybee is a crucial pollinator in nature, and plays an indispensable role in both agricultural production and scientific research. In recent decades, honeybee was challenged with health problems by biotic and abiotic stresses. As a key ecological factor, temperature has been proved to have an impact on the survival and production efficiency of honeybees. Previous studies have demonstrated that low temperature stress can affect honeybee pupation and shorten adult longevity. However, the molecular mechanism underlying the effects of low temperatures on honeybee growth and development during their developmental period remain poorly understood. In this paper, the weighted gene co-expression analysis (WGCNA) was employed to explore the molecular mechanisms underpinnings of honeybees' respond to low temperatures (20°C) during four distinct developmental stages: large-larvae, prepupae, early-pupae and mid-pupae. Through an extensive transcriptome analysis, thirteen gene co-expression modules were identified and analyzed in relation to honeybee development and stress responses. The darkorange module was found to be associated with low temperature stress, with its genes primarily involved in autophagy-animal, endocytosis and MAPK signaling pathways. Four hub genes were identified within this module, namely, loc726497, loc409791, loc410923, and loc550857, which may contribute to honeybee resistance to low temperature and provide insight into the underlying mechanism. The gene expression patterns of grey60 and black modules were found to correspond to the developmental stages of prepupae and early-pupae, respectively, with the hub genes loc409494, loc725756, loc552457, loc726158, Ip3k and Lcch3 in grey60 module likely involved in brain development, and the hub genes loc410555 in black module potentially related to exoskeleton development. The brown module genes exhibited a distinct pattern of overexpression in mid-pupae specimens, with genes primarily enriched in oxidative phosphorylation, citrate cycle and other pathways, which may be related to the formation of bee flying muscle. No related gene expression module was found for mature larvae stage. These findings provide valuable insights into the developmental process of honeybees at molecular level during the capped brood stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyu Zhu
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xinjian Xu
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Honeybee Research Institute, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shujing Zhou
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Honeybee Research Institute, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Bingfeng Zhou
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Honeybee Research Institute, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yiming Liu
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hongzhi Xu
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yuanmingyue Tian
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiangjie Zhu
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Honeybee Research Institute, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
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8
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Kogan HV, Elikan AB, Glaser KF, Bergmann JM, Raymond LM, Prado-Irwin SR, Snow JW. Colonization of Honey Bee Digestive Tracts by Environmental Yeast Lachancea thermotolerans Is Naturally Occurring, Temperature Dependent, and Impacts the Microbiome of Newly Emerged Bees. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0519422. [PMID: 36790179 PMCID: PMC10100982 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.05194-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Honey bees are critical pollinators in both agricultural and ecological settings. Recent declines in honey bee colonies in the United States have put increased strain on agricultural pollination. Although there are many environmental stressors implicated in honey bee disease, there has been intensifying focus on the role of microbial attacks on honey bee health. Despite the long-standing appreciation for the association of fungi of various groups with honey bees and their broader environment, the effects of these interactions on honey bee health are incompletely understood. Here, we report the discovery of colonization of the honey bee digestive tract by the environmental yeast Lachancea thermotolerans. Experimental colonization of honey bee digestive tracts by L. thermotolerans revealed that this yeast species maintains high levels in the honey bee midgut only at temperatures below the typical colony temperature. In newly eclosed bees, L. thermotolerans colonization alters the microbiome, suggesting that environmental yeasts can impact its composition. Future studies should be undertaken to better understand the role of L. thermotolerans and other environmental yeasts in honey bee health. IMPORTANCE Although many fungal species are found in association with honey bees and their broader environment, the effects of these interactions on honey bee health are largely unknown. Here, we report the discovery that a yeast commonly found in the environment can be found at high levels in honey bee digestive tracts. Experimentally feeding this yeast to honey bees showed that the yeast's ability to maintain high levels in the digestive tract is influenced by temperature and can lead to alterations of the microbiome in young bees. These studies provide a foundation for future studies to better understand the role of environmental yeasts in honey bee health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen V. Kogan
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, New York, USA
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9
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Zhu C, Li H, Xu X, Zhou S, Zhou B, Li X, Xu H, Tian Y, Wang Y, Chu Y, Zhang X, Zhu X. The mushroom body development and learning ability of adult honeybees are influenced by cold exposure during their early pupal stage. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1173808. [PMID: 37153230 PMCID: PMC10157483 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1173808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The honeybees are the most important pollinator in the production of crops and fresh produce. Temperature affects the survival of honeybees, and determines the quality of their development, which is of great significance for beekeeping production. Yet, little was known about how does low temperature stress during development stage cause bee death and any sub-lethal effect on subsequent. Early pupal stage is the most sensitive stage to low temperature in pupal stage. In this study, early pupal broods were exposed to 20°C for 12, 16, 24, and 48 h, followed by incubation at 35°C until emergence. We found that 48 h of low temperature duration cause 70% of individual bees to die. Although the mortality at 12 and 16 h seems not very high, the association learning ability of the surviving individuals was greatly affected. The brain slices of honeybees showed that low temperature treatment could cause the brain development of honeybees to almost stop. Gene expression profiles between low temperature treatment groups (T24, T48) and the control revealed that 1,267 and 1,174 genes were differentially expressed respectively. Functional enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes showed that the differential expression of Map3k9, Dhrs4, and Sod-2 genes on MAPK and peroxisome signaling pathway caused oxidative damage to the honeybee head. On the FoxO signal pathway, InsR and FoxO were upregulated, and JNK, Akt, and Bsk were downregulated; and on the insect hormone synthesis signal pathway, Phm and Spo genes were downregulated. Therefore, we speculate that low temperature stress affects hormone regulation. It was detected that the pathways related to the nervous system were Cholinergic synapse, Dopaminergic synapse, GABAergic synapse, Glutamatergic synapse, Serotonergic synapse, Neurotrophin signaling pathway, and Synaptic vesicle cycle. This implies that the synaptic development of honeybees is quite possibly greatly affected by low temperature stress. Understanding how low temperature stress affects the physiology of bee brain development and how it affects bee behavior provide a theoretical foundation for a deeper comprehension of the temperature adaptation mechanism that underlies the "stenothermic" development of social insects, and help to improve honeybee management strategies to ensure the healthy of colony.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyu Zhu
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Han Li
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xinjian Xu
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Honeybee Research Institute, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Shujing Zhou
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Honeybee Research Institute, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Bingfeng Zhou
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Honeybee Research Institute, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiang Li
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hongzhi Xu
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yuanmingyue Tian
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yanxin Wang
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yu Chu
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xianlan Zhang
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Xiangjie Zhu
- College of Animal Science (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- Honeybee Research Institute, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xiangjie Zhu,
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10
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Kaya-Zeeb S, Delac S, Wolf L, Marante AL, Scherf-Clavel O, Thamm M. Robustness of the honeybee neuro-muscular octopaminergic system in the face of cold stress. Front Physiol 2022; 13:1002740. [PMID: 36237520 PMCID: PMC9551396 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1002740] [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: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, our planet has undergone dramatic environmental changes resulting in the loss of numerous species. This contrasts with species that can adapt quickly to rapidly changing ambient conditions, which require physiological plasticity and must occur rapidly. The Western honeybee (Apis mellifera) apparently meets this challenge with remarkable success, as this species is adapted to numerous climates, resulting in an almost worldwide distribution. Here, coordinated individual thermoregulatory activities ensure survival at the colony level and thus the transmission of genetic material. Recently, we showed that shivering thermogenesis, which is critical for honeybee thermoregulation, depends on octopamine signaling. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that the thoracic neuro-muscular octopaminergic system strives for a steady-state equilibrium under cold stress to maintain endogenous thermogenesis. We can show that this applies for both, octopamine provision by flight muscle innervating neurons and octopamine receptor expression in the flight muscles. Additionally, we discovered alternative splicing for AmOARβ2. At least the expression of one isoform is needed to survive cold stress conditions. We assume that the thoracic neuro-muscular octopaminergic system is finely tuned in order to contribute decisively to survival in a changing environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinan Kaya-Zeeb
- Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Sinan Kaya-Zeeb,
| | - Saskia Delac
- Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lena Wolf
- Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ana Luiza Marante
- Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Oliver Scherf-Clavel
- Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Thamm
- Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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11
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Correlation of Climatic Factors with the Weight of an Apis mellifera Beehive. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14095302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/10/2022]
Abstract
The bee Apis mellifera plays an important role in the balance of the ecosystem. New technologies are used for the evaluation of hives, and to determine the quality of the honey and the productivity of the hive. Climatic factors, management, flowering, and other factors affect the weight of a hive. The objective of this research was to explain the interrelationship between climatic variables and the weight of an Apis mellifera beehive using a vector autoregressive (VAR) model. The adjustment of a VAR model was carried out with seven climatic variables, and hive weight and its lags, by adjusting an equation that represents the studied hive considering all interrelationships. It was proven that the VAR (1) model can effectively capture the interrelationship among variables. The impulse response function and the variance decomposition show that the variable that most influences the hive weight, during the initial period, is the minimum dew point, which represents 5.33% of the variance. Among the variables analyzed, the one that most impacted the hive weight, after 20 days, was the maximum temperature, representing 7.50% of the variance. This study proves that it is possible to apply econometric statistical models to bee data and to relate them to climatic data, contributing significantly to the area of applied and bee statistics.
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Li G, Zhang S, Wang H, Liang L, Liu Z, Wang Y, Xu B, Zhao H. Differential Expression Characterisation of the Heat Shock Proteins DnaJB6, DnaJshv, DnaJB13, and DnaJB14 in Apis cerana cerana Under Various Stress Conditions. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.873791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
As key pollinators, bees are frequently exposed to multiple environmental stresses and have developed crucial mechanisms by which they adapt to these stressors. However, the molecular bases mediated at the gene level remain to be discovered. Here, we found four heat shock protein DnaJB subfamily genes, DnaJB6, DnaJshv, DnaJB13, and DnaJB14, from Apis cerana cerana, that all have J domains in their protein sequences. The expression levels of DnaJB6 and DnaJshv were upregulated by different degrees of heat stress, and the transcript level of DnaJB14 was gradually upregulated as the degree of heat stress increased, while the mRNA level of DnaJB13 was downregulated at multiple time points during heat stress treatment. The mRNA levels of all four DnaJBs were upregulated by cold and UV stress. In addition, the expression levels of DnaJB6, DnaJshv and DnaJB13 were reduced under abamectin, imidacloprid, cypermethrin, bifenthrin, spirodiclofen, and methomyl stresses. The transcript level of DnaJB14 was decreased by imidacloprid, cypermethrin, spirodiclofen, and methomyl exposure but increased by abamectin and bifenthrin exposure. These results indicate that the demand of A. cerana cerana for these four DnaJBs differs under various stress conditions. To further explore the role of DnaJBs in the stress response, we successfully silenced DnaJshv and DnaJB14. The content of protein carbonyl was increased, while the content of VC, the enzymatic activities of CAT, GST, and SOD, the mRNA levels of many antioxidant-related genes, and the total antioxidant capacity were reduced after knockdown of DnaJshv and DnaJB14 in A. cerana cerana. These results indicate that silencing DnaJshv and DnaJB14 increases oxidative damage and decreases the antioxidant ability of A. cerana cerana. Taken together, our results demonstrate that DnaJB6, DnaJshv, DnaJB13, and DnaJB14 are differentially expressed under stress conditions and play crucial roles in response to various stressors, possibly through the antioxidant signalling pathway. These findings will be conducive to understanding the molecular basis of bee responses to environmental stresses and are beneficial for improving bee protection.
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Kaya-Zeeb S, Engelmayer L, Straßburger M, Bayer J, Bähre H, Seifert R, Scherf-Clavel O, Thamm M. Octopamine drives honeybee thermogenesis. eLife 2022; 11:74334. [PMID: 35289743 PMCID: PMC8923666 DOI: 10.7554/elife.74334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In times of environmental change species have two options to survive: they either relocate to a new habitat or they adapt to the altered environment. Adaptation requires physiological plasticity and provides a selection benefit. In this regard, the Western honeybee (Apis mellifera) protrudes with its thermoregulatory capabilities, which enables a nearly worldwide distribution. Especially in the cold, shivering thermogenesis enables foraging as well as proper brood development and thus survival. In this study, we present octopamine signaling as a neurochemical prerequisite for honeybee thermogenesis: we were able to induce hypothermia by depleting octopamine in the flight muscles. Additionally, we could restore the ability to increase body temperature by administering octopamine. Thus, we conclude that octopamine signaling in the flight muscles is necessary for thermogenesis. Moreover, we show that these effects are mediated by β octopamine receptors. The significance of our results is highlighted by the fact the respective receptor genes underlie enormous selective pressure due to adaptation to cold climates. Finally, octopamine signaling in the service of thermogenesis might be a key strategy to survive in a changing environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinan Kaya-Zeeb
- Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Lorenz Engelmayer
- Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Mara Straßburger
- Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Jasmin Bayer
- Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Heike Bähre
- Institute of Pharmacology, Research Core Unit Metabolomics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Roland Seifert
- Institute of Pharmacology, Research Core Unit Metabolomics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Oliver Scherf-Clavel
- Institute for Pharmacy and Food Chemistry, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Markus Thamm
- Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology, Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Strachecka A, Olszewski K, Kuszewska K, Paleolog J, Woyciechowski M. Reproductive Potential Accelerates Preimaginal Development of Rebel Workers in Apis mellifera. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11113245. [PMID: 34827977 PMCID: PMC8614343 DOI: 10.3390/ani11113245] [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: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary All female honeybee larvae may develop into workers or queens, depending on the food they receive. During this period, queen mandibular pheromones (QMP) perform a regulatory function in inhibiting ovarian development in adult workers. These pheromones are transmitted (via trophallaxis) by workers to pass information to larvae on the presence or absence of the queen. Queen-less conditions are conducive to the emergence of rebel workers that are set to reproduce, and do not participate in the rearing of successive bee generations in contrast to the sterile, normal workers. We posited that rebels are not only similar to queens in some anatomical features, but also develop in a shorter time in comparison to normal workers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the duration of preimaginal development in rebel and normal workers. Our results confirmed that the workers who develop in a queen-less colony undergo a shorter preimaginal development than those in a queen-right colony. Abstract Rebel workers develop from eggs laid by the previous queen, before it went swarming and left the colony orphaned, until the emergence of a new queen. In contrast to normal workers developing in the queen’s presence, rebels are set to reproduce and avoid rearing of successive bee generations. They have more ovarioles in their ovaries, as well as more developed mandibular glands and underdeveloped hypopharyngeal glands, just like the queen. We posited that rebels are not only similar to queens in some anatomical features, but also develop in a shorter time in comparison to normal workers. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare preimaginal development duration in rebel and normal workers. The results show that rebels, i.e., workers with a higher reproductive potential, had a significantly shorter preimaginal development period (mean ± SD, 19.24 ± 0.07 days) than normal workers (22.29 ± 0.32 days). Our result confirmed that workers who develop in a queen-less colony undergo a shorter preimaginal development than those in a queen-right colony.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Strachecka
- Department of Invertebrate Ecophysiology and Experimental Biology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, Poland;
- Correspondence:
| | - Krzysztof Olszewski
- Institute of Biological Basis of Animal Production, Faculty of Animal Sciences and Bioeconomy, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Karolina Kuszewska
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (K.K.); (M.W.)
| | - Jerzy Paleolog
- Department of Invertebrate Ecophysiology and Experimental Biology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, 20-950 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Michał Woyciechowski
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland; (K.K.); (M.W.)
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15
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Bach DM, Holzman MA, Wague F, Miranda JL, Lopatkin AJ, Mansfield JH, Snow JW. Thermal stress induces tissue damage and a broad shift in regenerative signaling pathways in the honey bee digestive tract. J Exp Biol 2021; 224:272039. [PMID: 34477881 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.242262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Honey bee colonies in the USA have suffered from increased die-off in the last few years with a complex set of interacting stresses playing a key role. With changing climate, an increase in the frequency of severe weather events, such as heat waves, is anticipated. Understanding how these changes may contribute to stress in honey bees is crucial. Individual honey bees appear to have a high capacity to endure thermal stress. One reason for this high-level endurance is likely their robust heat shock response (HSR), which contributes to thermotolerance at the cellular level. However, less is known about other mechanisms of thermotolerance, especially those operating at the tissue level. To elucidate other determinants of resilience in this species, we used thermal stress coupled with RNAseq and identified broad transcriptional remodeling of a number of key signaling pathways in the honey bee, including those pathways known to be involved in digestive tract regeneration in the fruit fly such as the Hippo and JAK/STAT pathways. We also observed cell death and shedding of epithelial cells, which likely leads to induction of this regenerative transcriptional program. We found that thermal stress affects many of these pathways in other tissues, suggesting a shared program of damage response. This study provides important foundational characterization of the tissue damage response program in this key pollinating species. In addition, our data suggest that a robust regeneration program may also be a critical contributor to thermotolerance at the tissue level, a possibility which warrants further exploration in this and other species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dunay M Bach
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | | | - Fatoumata Wague
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Jj L Miranda
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Allison J Lopatkin
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, NY 10027, USA.,Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Environmental Biology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA.,Data Science Institute , Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | | | - Jonathan W Snow
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, NY 10027, USA
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16
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Xing K, Sun D, Zhao F. Within- and Trans-Generational Life History Responses to Diurnal Temperature Amplitudes of the Pupal Stage in the Diamondback Moth. ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2021; 50:888-897. [PMID: 33974683 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvab044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Diurnal temperature fluctuations in nature can have a significant effect on many ectodermic traits. However, studies on the effects of diurnal temperature fluctuations on organisms, especially the effects on specific life stages, are still limited. We examined the immediate effects of the same average temperature (25°C) and different temperature amplitudes (±4, ±6, ±8, ±10, ±12°C) on the development and survival of Plutella xylostella (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). We also assessed carry-over effects on adult longevity, reproduction, development, and survival of offspring across generations. The effect of moderate temperature amplitudes was similar to that of constant temperature. Wide temperature amplitudes inhibited the development of pupae, reduced total reproduction, lowered intrinsic rates of population growth, and slowed the development and survival of eggs on the first day, but the proportion of females ovipositing on the first three days increased. Insects coped with the adverse effects of wide temperature amplitudes by laying eggs as soon as possible. Our results confirmed that a logistic model based on daily average temperature cannot predict development rates under wide temperature amplitudes. These findings highlight the effect of environmental temperature fluctuations at the pupal stage on the development and oviposition patterns of P. xylostella and should be fully considered when predicting field occurrence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Xing
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Agriculture, College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taiyuan 030031, China
- Shanxi Shouyang Dryland Agroecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Shouyang 031700, China
| | - Dongbao Sun
- Shanxi Shouyang Dryland Agroecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Shouyang 031700, China
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Fei Zhao
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management in Agriculture, College of Plant Protection, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taiyuan 030031, China
- Shanxi Shouyang Dryland Agroecosystem National Observation and Research Station, Shouyang 031700, China
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Mráz P, Hýbl M, Kopecký M, Bohatá A, Konopická J, Hoštičková I, Konvalina P, Šipoš J, Rost M, Čurn V. The Effect of Artificial Media and Temperature on the Growth and Development of the Honey Bee Brood Pathogen Ascosphaera apis. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10050431. [PMID: 34066178 PMCID: PMC8151570 DOI: 10.3390/biology10050431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ascosphaera apis is a causative agent of chalkbrood, which is one of the most widespread honey bee diseases. In our experiments, the influence of several artificial media and cultivation under different temperatures was evaluated. Concretely, the radial growth of separated mating types was measured, reproductive structures in a Neubauer hemocytometer chamber were counted simultaneously, and the morphometry of spore cysts and spore balls was assessed. The complex set of experiments determined suitable cultivation conditions. A specific pattern between reproductive structure size and temperature was found. The optimal temperature for both mating types was 30 °C. SDA and YGPSA media are suitable for fast mycelial growth. Moreover, the effect of bee brood on fungus growth and development in vitro was investigated by modification of culture medium. The newly modified medium PDA-BB4 was most effective for the production of the reproductive structures. The result suggests that honey bee brood provides necessary nutrients for proper fungus development during in vitro cultivation. As there is no registered therapeutic agent against chalkbrood in most countries, including the European Union, the assessment of A. apis growth and development in different conditions could help to understand fungus pathogenesis and thus control chalkbrood disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Mráz
- Department of Genetics and Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia, Studentska 1668, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (I.H.); (M.R.); (V.Č.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Marian Hýbl
- Department of Zoology, Fisheries, Hydrobiology and Apiculture, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (M.H.); (J.Š.)
| | - Marek Kopecký
- Department of Agroecosystems, Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia, Studentska 1668, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (M.K.); (P.K.)
| | - Andrea Bohatá
- Department of Crop Production, Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia, Studentska 1668, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic;
| | - Jana Konopická
- Department of Genetics and Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia, Studentska 1668, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (I.H.); (M.R.); (V.Č.)
- Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Entomology, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Irena Hoštičková
- Department of Genetics and Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia, Studentska 1668, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (I.H.); (M.R.); (V.Č.)
| | - Petr Konvalina
- Department of Agroecosystems, Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia, Studentska 1668, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (M.K.); (P.K.)
| | - Jan Šipoš
- Department of Zoology, Fisheries, Hydrobiology and Apiculture, Faculty of AgriSciences, Mendel University in Brno, Zemedelska 1, 613 00 Brno, Czech Republic; (M.H.); (J.Š.)
| | - Michael Rost
- Department of Genetics and Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia, Studentska 1668, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (I.H.); (M.R.); (V.Č.)
| | - Vladislav Čurn
- Department of Genetics and Agricultural Biotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia, Studentska 1668, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic; (J.K.); (I.H.); (M.R.); (V.Č.)
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Overwintering Honey Bee Colonies: Effect of Worker Age and Climate on the Hindgut Microbiota. INSECTS 2021; 12:insects12030224. [PMID: 33807581 PMCID: PMC8000648 DOI: 10.3390/insects12030224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Honey bee overwintering health is essential to meet the demands of spring pollination. Managed honey bee colonies are overwintered in a variety of climates, and increasing rates of winter colony loss have prompted investigations into overwintering management, including indoor climate controlled overwintering. Central to colony health, the worker hindgut gut microbiota has been largely ignored in this context. We sequenced the hindgut microbiota of overwintering workers from both a warm southern climate and controlled indoor cold climate. Congruently, we sampled a cohort of known chronological age to estimate worker longevity in southern climates, and assess age-associated changes in the core hindgut microbiota. We found that worker longevity over winter in southern climates was much lower than that recorded for northern climates. Workers showed decreased bacterial and fungal load with age, but the relative structure of the core hindgut microbiome remained stable. Compared to cold indoor wintering, collective microbiota changes in the southern outdoor climate suggest compromised host physiology. Fungal abundance increased by two orders of magnitude in southern climate hindguts and was positively correlated with non-core, likely opportunistic bacteria. Our results contribute to understanding overwintering honey bee biology and microbial ecology and provide insight into overwintering strategies.
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Sublethal concentrations of clothianidin affect honey bee colony growth and hive CO 2 concentration. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4364. [PMID: 33623125 PMCID: PMC7902615 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83958-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of agricultural pesticide exposure upon honey bee colonies is of increasing interest to beekeepers and researchers, and the impact of neonicotinoid pesticides in particular has come under intense scrutiny. To explore potential colony-level effects of a neonicotinoid pesticide at field-relevant concentrations, honey bee colonies were fed 5- and 20-ppb concentrations of clothianidin in sugar syrup while control colonies were fed unadulterated syrup. Two experiments were conducted in successive years at the same site in southern Arizona, and one in the high rainfall environment of Mississippi. Across all three experiments, adult bee masses were about 21% lower among colonies fed 20-ppb clothianidin than the untreated control group, but no effects of treatment on brood production were observed. Average daily hive weight losses per day in the 5-ppb clothianidin colonies were about 39% lower post-treatment than in the 20-ppb clothianidin colonies, indicating lower consumption and/or better foraging, but the dry weights of newly-emerged adult bees were on average 6–7% lower in the 5-ppb group compared to the other groups, suggesting a nutritional problem in the 5-ppb group. Internal hive CO2 concentration was higher on average in colonies fed 20-ppb clothianidin, which could have resulted from greater CO2 production and/or reduced ventilating activity. Hive temperature average and daily variability were not affected by clothianidin exposure but did differ significantly among trials. Clothianidin was found to be, like imidacloprid, highly stable in honey in the hive environment over several months.
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Factors Associated with Honey Bee Colony Losses: A Mini-Review. Vet Sci 2020; 7:vetsci7040166. [PMID: 33143134 PMCID: PMC7712510 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci7040166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The Western honey bee (Apis mellifera L., Hymenoptera: Apidae) is a species of crucial economic, agricultural and environmental importance. In the last ten years, some regions of the world have suffered from a significant reduction of honey bee colonies. In fact, honey bee losses are not an unusual phenomenon, but in many countries worldwide there has been a notable decrease in honey bee colonies. The cases in the USA, in many European countries, and in the Middle East have received considerable attention, mostly due to the absence of an easily identifiable cause. It has been difficult to determine the main factors leading to colony losses because of honey bees’ diverse social behavior. Moreover, in their daily routine, they make contact with many agents of the environment and are exposed to a plethora of human activities and their consequences. Nevertheless, various factors have been considered to be contributing to honey bee losses, and recent investigations have established some of the most important ones, in particular, pests and diseases, bee management, including bee keeping practices and breeding, the change in climatic conditions, agricultural practices, and the use of pesticides. The global picture highlights the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor as a major factor in colony loss. Last but not least, microsporidian parasites, mainly Nosema ceranae, also contribute to the problem. Thus, it is obvious that there are many factors affecting honey bee colony losses globally. Increased monitoring and scientific research should throw new light on the factors involved in recent honey bee colony losses. The present review focuses on the main factors which have been found to have an impact on the increase in honey bee colony losses.
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Social Fever or General Immune Response? Revisiting an Example of Social Immunity in Honey Bees. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11080528. [PMID: 32823597 PMCID: PMC7469213 DOI: 10.3390/insects11080528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2020] [Revised: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Behavioral, or social fever in honey bees is frequently cited as a form of social immunity—the behavioral, organizational, and physiological mechanisms that social organisms use to defend against parasites and pathogens to maintain group health. It has been shown previously that colonies elevate brood nest temperature as a response to challenge with the fungal pathogen, Ascosphaera apis, the causative agent of chalkbrood disease in honey bees. Our objective was to test whether we could replicate social fever and its effect on reducing signs of chalkbrood disease in colonies using methods similar to previous reports. We affirmed that honey bees increase the temperature of the brood nest after exposure to A. apis. However, the magnitude of temperature increase was insufficient at preventing infection, as all colonies showed signs of chalkbrood post-exposure. We conducted additional studies to explore alternative hypotheses related to the cause and effect of behavioral fever. We found that challenge with A. apis resulted in an increased immune response of adult bees, but this activation was not due to thermal and other stress, as measured by expression of the heat stress and nutritional genes, Hsp 70Ab-like and vitellogenin, respectively. We proposed additional hypotheses that could be tested. Abstract Honey bees use several strategies to protect themselves and the colony from parasites and pathogens. In addition to individual immunity, social immunity involves the cumulative effort of some individuals to limit the spread of parasites and pathogens to uninfected nestmates. Examples of social immunity in honey bees that have received attention include hygienic behavior, or the removal of diseased brood, and the collection and deposition of antimicrobial resins (propolis) on interior nest surfaces. Advances in our understanding of another form of social immunity, social fever, are lacking. Honey bees were shown to raise the temperature of the nest in response to temperature-sensitive brood pathogen, Ascosphaera apis. The increase in nest temperature (−0.6 °C) is thought to limit the spread of A. apis infection to uninfected immatures. We established observation hives and monitored the temperature of the brood nest for 40 days. This observation period was broken into five distinct segments, corresponding to sucrose solution feedings—Pre-Feed, Feed I, Challenge, Feed II, and Post-Feed. Ascosphaera apis was administered to colonies as a 1% solution of ground sporulating chalkbrood mummies in 50% v/v sucrose solution, during the Challenge period. Like previous reports, we observed a modest increase in brood nest temperature during the Challenge period. However, all hives presented signs of chalkbrood disease, suggesting that elevation of the nest temperature was not sufficient to stop the spread of infection among immatures. We also began to explore the molecular mechanisms of temperature increase by exposing adult bees in cages to A. apis, without the presence of immatures. Compared to adult workers who were given sucrose solution only, workers exposed to A. apis showed increased expression of the antimicrobial peptides abaecin (p = 0.07) and hymenoptaecin (p = 0.04), but expression of the heat shock response protein Hsp 70Ab-like (p = 0.76) and the nutritional marker vitellogenin (p = 0.72) were unaffected. These results indicate that adult honey bee workers exposed to a brood pathogen elevate the temperature of the brood nest and initiate an immune response, but the effect of this fever on preventing disease requires further study.
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Negri P, Villalobos E, Szawarski N, Damiani N, Gende L, Garrido M, Maggi M, Quintana S, Lamattina L, Eguaras M. Towards Precision Nutrition: A Novel Concept Linking Phytochemicals, Immune Response and Honey Bee Health. INSECTS 2019; 10:E401. [PMID: 31726686 PMCID: PMC6920938 DOI: 10.3390/insects10110401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 11/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The high annual losses of managed honey bees (Apis mellifera) has attracted intensive attention, and scientists have dedicated much effort trying to identify the stresses affecting bees. There are, however, no simple answers; rather, research suggests multifactorial effects. Several works have been reported highlighting the relationship between bees' immunosuppression and the effects of malnutrition, parasites, pathogens, agrochemical and beekeeping pesticides exposure, forage dearth and cold stress. Here we analyze a possible connection between immunity-related signaling pathways that could be involved in the response to the stress resulted from Varroa-virus association and cold stress during winter. The analysis was made understanding the honey bee as a superorganism, where individuals are integrated and interacting within the colony, going from social to individual immune responses. We propose the term "Precision Nutrition" as a way to think and study bees' nutrition in the search for key molecules which would be able to strengthen colonies' responses to any or all of those stresses combined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Negri
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Deán Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina; (N.S.); (N.D.); (L.G.); (M.G.); (M.M.); (S.Q.); (M.E.)
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Buenos Aires C1425FQB, Argentina;
| | - Ethel Villalobos
- Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa, 3050 Maile Way, 310 Gilmore Hall, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA;
| | - Nicolás Szawarski
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Deán Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina; (N.S.); (N.D.); (L.G.); (M.G.); (M.M.); (S.Q.); (M.E.)
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Buenos Aires C1425FQB, Argentina;
| | - Natalia Damiani
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Deán Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina; (N.S.); (N.D.); (L.G.); (M.G.); (M.M.); (S.Q.); (M.E.)
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Buenos Aires C1425FQB, Argentina;
| | - Liesel Gende
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Deán Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina; (N.S.); (N.D.); (L.G.); (M.G.); (M.M.); (S.Q.); (M.E.)
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Buenos Aires C1425FQB, Argentina;
| | - Melisa Garrido
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Deán Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina; (N.S.); (N.D.); (L.G.); (M.G.); (M.M.); (S.Q.); (M.E.)
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Buenos Aires C1425FQB, Argentina;
| | - Matías Maggi
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Deán Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina; (N.S.); (N.D.); (L.G.); (M.G.); (M.M.); (S.Q.); (M.E.)
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Buenos Aires C1425FQB, Argentina;
| | - Silvina Quintana
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Deán Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina; (N.S.); (N.D.); (L.G.); (M.G.); (M.M.); (S.Q.); (M.E.)
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Buenos Aires C1425FQB, Argentina;
| | - Lorenzo Lamattina
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Buenos Aires C1425FQB, Argentina;
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas (IIB-CONICET), UNMdP, Dean Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Martin Eguaras
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Deán Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina; (N.S.); (N.D.); (L.G.); (M.G.); (M.M.); (S.Q.); (M.E.)
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Godoy Cruz 2290, Buenos Aires C1425FQB, Argentina;
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23
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Szawarski N, Saez A, Domínguez E, Dickson R, De Matteis Á, Eciolaza C, Justel M, Aliano A, Solar P, Bergara I, Pons C, Bolognesi A, Carna G, Garcia W, Garcia O, Eguaras M, Lamattina L, Maggi M, Negri P. Effect of Abscisic Acid (ABA) Combined with Two Different Beekeeping Nutritional Strategies to Confront Overwintering: Studies on Honey Bees' Population Dynamics and Nosemosis. INSECTS 2019; 10:insects10100329. [PMID: 31581467 PMCID: PMC6835648 DOI: 10.3390/insects10100329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 09/06/2019] [Accepted: 09/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
In temperate climates, beekeeping operations suffer colony losses and colony depopulation of Apis mellifera during overwintering, which are associated with biotic and abiotic stressors that impact bees’ health. In this work, we evaluate the impacts of abscisic acid (ABA) dietary supplementation on honey bee colonies kept in Langstroth hives. The effects of ABA were evaluated in combination with two different beekeeping nutritional strategies to confront overwintering: “honey management” and “syrup management”. Specifically, we evaluated strength parameters of honey bee colonies (adult bee and brood population) and the population dynamics of Nosema (prevalence and intensity) associated with both nutritional systems and ABA supplementation during the whole study (late autumn-winter-early spring). The entire experiment was designed and performed with a local group of beekeepers, “Azahares del sudeste”, who showed interest in answering problems associated with the management of honey bee colonies during the winter. The results indicated that the ABA supplementation had positive effects on the population dynamics of the A. mellifera colonies during overwintering and on the nosemosis at colony level (prevalence) in both nutritional strategies evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolás Szawarski
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS) (IIPROSAM-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina.
| | - Agustín Saez
- INIBIOMA, Universidad Nacional del Comahue, (CONICET), Quintral 1250, Bariloche 8400, Argentina
| | - Enzo Domínguez
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS) (IIPROSAM-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Rachel Dickson
- Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, PO Box 519, Crested Butte, CO 81224, USA
| | - Ángela De Matteis
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Carlos Eciolaza
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Marcelino Justel
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Alfredo Aliano
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Pedro Solar
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Ignacio Bergara
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Claudia Pons
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Aldo Bolognesi
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Gabriel Carna
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Walter Garcia
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Omar Garcia
- Beekeeper from Azahares del Sudeste association, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Martin Eguaras
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS) (IIPROSAM-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Lorenzo Lamattina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas (IIB-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Matías Maggi
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS) (IIPROSAM-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
| | - Pedro Negri
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS) (IIPROSAM-CONICET), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Funes 3350, Mar del Plata CP 7600, Argentina
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24
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Li J, Wang T, Evans JD, Rose R, Zhao Y, Li Z, Li J, Huang S, Heerman M, Rodríguez-García C, Banmekea O, Brister JR, Hatcher EL, Cao L, Hamilton M, Chen Y. The Phylogeny and Pathogenesis of Sacbrood Virus (SBV) Infection in European Honey Bees, Apis mellifera. Viruses 2019; 11:v11010061. [PMID: 30646581 PMCID: PMC6357158 DOI: 10.3390/v11010061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2018] [Revised: 01/05/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
RNA viruses that contain single-stranded RNA genomes of positive sense make up the largest group of pathogens infecting honey bees. Sacbrood virus (SBV) is one of the most widely distributed honey bee viruses and infects the larvae of honey bees, resulting in failure to pupate and death. Among all of the viruses infecting honey bees, SBV has the greatest number of complete genomes isolated from both European honey bees Apis mellifera and Asian honey bees A. cerana worldwide. To enhance our understanding of the evolution and pathogenicity of SBV, in this study, we present the first report of whole genome sequences of two U.S. strains of SBV. The complete genome sequences of the two U.S. SBV strains were deposited in GenBank under accession numbers: MG545286.1 and MG545287.1. Both SBV strains show the typical genomic features of the Iflaviridae family. The phylogenetic analysis of the single polyprotein coding region of the U.S. strains, and other GenBank SBV submissions revealed that SBV strains split into two distinct lineages, possibly reflecting host affiliation. The phylogenetic analysis based on the 5′UTR revealed a monophyletic clade with the deep parts of the tree occupied by SBV strains from both A. cerane and A. mellifera, and the tips of branches of the tree occupied by SBV strains from A. mellifera. The study of the cold stress on the pathogenesis of the SBV infection showed that cold stress could have profound effects on sacbrood disease severity manifested by increased mortality of infected larvae. This result suggests that the high prevalence of sacbrood disease in early spring may be due to the fluctuating temperatures during the season. This study will contribute to a better understanding of the evolution and pathogenesis of SBV infection in honey bees, and have important epidemiological relevance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianghong Li
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Bldg. 306, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
- College of Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Tingyun Wang
- College of Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Jay D Evans
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Bldg. 306, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
| | - Robyn Rose
- USDA APHIS, National Program Manager for Honey Bee Health, Riverdale, MD 20737, USA.
| | - Yazhou Zhao
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Bldg. 306, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Zhiguo Li
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Bldg. 306, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
- College of Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Jilian Li
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing 100081, China.
| | - Shaokang Huang
- College of Bee Science, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China.
| | - Matthew Heerman
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Bldg. 306, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
| | - Cristina Rodríguez-García
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Bldg. 306, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
- Laboratorio de Patología Apícola, Centro de Investigación Apícola y Agroambiental, IRIAF, Consejería de Agricultura de la Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, 19180 Marchamalo, Spain.
| | - Olubukola Banmekea
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Bldg. 306, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
| | - J Rodney Brister
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA.
| | - Eneida L Hatcher
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20894, USA.
| | - Lianfei Cao
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Bldg. 306, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
- Institute of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, China.
| | - Michele Hamilton
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Bldg. 306, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
| | - Yanping Chen
- USDA-ARS Bee Research Laboratory, USDA-ARS, Bldg. 306, BARC-East, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
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25
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Sonter CA, Rader R, Wilson SC. A new, practicable and economical cage design for experimental studies on small honey bee colonies. J Exp Biol 2019; 222:jeb.200998. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.200998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
Bees are in decline globally due to multiple stressors including pests, pathogens and contaminants. The management of bees in enclosures can identify causes of decline under standardized conditions but the logistics of conducting effect studies in typical systems used across several colonies is complex and costly. This study details a practicable, new and economical cage system that effectively houses live honey bee colonies to investigate the impact of physical conditions, biological factors and environmental contaminants on honey bee health. The method has broad application for a range of effect studies concerning honey bee development, physiology, survival and population dynamics because it enables entire colonies to be managed well in captivity, as opposed to individual workers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolyn A. Sonter
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | - Romina Rader
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
| | - Susan C. Wilson
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW 2351, Australia
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26
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Szentgyörgyi H, Czekońska K, Tofilski A. Honey bees are larger and live longer after developing at low temperature. J Therm Biol 2018; 78:219-226. [PMID: 30509639 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2018.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Revised: 08/06/2018] [Accepted: 09/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are known to be temperature specialist and actively maintain brood temperature in a very narrow temperature range. Developing larvae are sensitive to changes of temperature in the nest. Temperatures lower than generally assumed as optimal have been shown to cause a number of negative developmental and behavioural changes in honey bees. We have reared both worker and drone larvae during the capped brood stage in cold (32 °C) and in warm temperatures (35 °C). Next, we measured their body mass at emergence and the longevity of individuals either caged in incubator (workers) or placed in maintaining colonies (drones). For drones, the reproductive caste, we also compared the mass and ratio of body parts (head, thorax, and abdomen) to body mass. As expected, both castes were heavier when reared in cold, but contrary to our expectations, both castes survived longer after emergence than bees reared in warm. Drones reared in cold were characterized by proportionally larger abdomens, in comparison to drones reared in warm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hajnalka Szentgyörgyi
- Department of Pomology and Apiculture, Faculty of Biotechnology and Horticulture, University of Agriculture in Kraków, Al. 29. Listopada 54, 31-425 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Krystyna Czekońska
- Department of Pomology and Apiculture, Faculty of Biotechnology and Horticulture, University of Agriculture in Kraków, Al. 29. Listopada 54, 31-425 Kraków, Poland
| | - Adam Tofilski
- Department of Pomology and Apiculture, Faculty of Biotechnology and Horticulture, University of Agriculture in Kraków, Al. 29. Listopada 54, 31-425 Kraków, Poland
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27
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Ramirez L, Negri P, Sturla L, Guida L, Vigliarolo T, Maggi M, Eguaras M, Zocchi E, Lamattina L. Abscisic acid enhances cold tolerance in honeybee larvae. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 284:rspb.2016.2140. [PMID: 28381619 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.2140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The natural composition of nutrients present in food is a key factor determining the immune function and stress responses in the honeybee (Apis mellifera). We previously demonstrated that a supplement of abscisic acid (ABA), a natural component of nectar, pollen, and honey, increases honeybee colony survival overwinter. Here we further explored the role of ABA in in vitro-reared larvae exposed to low temperatures. Four-day-old larvae (L4) exposed to 25°C for 3 days showed lower survival rates and delayed development compared to individuals growing at a standard temperature (34°C). Cold-stressed larvae maintained higher levels of ABA for longer than do larvae reared at 34°C, suggesting a biological significance for ABA. Larvae fed with an ABA-supplemented diet completely prevent the low survival rate due to cold stress and accelerate adult emergence. ABA modulates the expression of genes involved in metabolic adjustments and stress responses: Hexamerin 70b, Insulin Receptor Substrate, Vitellogenin, and Heat Shock Proteins 70. AmLANCL2, the honeybee ABA receptor, is also regulated by cold stress and ABA. These results support a role for ABA increasing the tolerance of honeybee larvae to low temperatures through priming effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonor Ramirez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, CONICET - Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), CC 1245, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Pedro Negri
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), FCEyN, UNMdP, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Laura Sturla
- DIMES-Sezione Biochimica, Università degli Studi di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 116132 Genova, Italia
| | - Lucrezia Guida
- DIMES-Sezione Biochimica, Università degli Studi di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 116132 Genova, Italia
| | - Tiziana Vigliarolo
- DIMES-Sezione Biochimica, Università degli Studi di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 116132 Genova, Italia
| | - Matías Maggi
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), FCEyN, UNMdP, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Martín Eguaras
- Centro de Investigación en Abejas Sociales (CIAS), FCEyN, UNMdP, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Elena Zocchi
- DIMES-Sezione Biochimica, Università degli Studi di Genova, Viale Benedetto XV, 116132 Genova, Italia
| | - Lorenzo Lamattina
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas, CONICET - Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), CC 1245, 7600 Mar del Plata, Argentina
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28
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McKinstry M, Chung C, Truong H, Johnston BA, Snow JW. The heat shock response and humoral immune response are mutually antagonistic in honey bees. Sci Rep 2017; 7:8850. [PMID: 28821863 PMCID: PMC5562734 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-09159-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/21/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The honey bee is of paramount importance to humans in both agricultural and ecological settings. Honey bee colonies have suffered from increased attrition in recent years, stemming from complex interacting stresses. Defining common cellular stress responses elicited by these stressors represents a key step in understanding potential synergies. The proteostasis network is a highly conserved network of cellular stress responses involved in maintaining the homeostasis of protein production and function. Here, we have characterized the Heat Shock Response (HSR), one branch of this network, and found that its core components are conserved. In addition, exposing bees to elevated temperatures normally encountered by honey bees during typical activities results in robust HSR induction with increased expression of specific heat shock proteins that was variable across tissues. Surprisingly, we found that heat shock represses multiple immune genes in the abdomen and additionally showed that wounding the cuticle of the abdomen results in decreased expression of multiple HSR genes in proximal and distal tissues. This mutually antagonistic relationship between the HSR and immune activation is unique among invertebrates studied to date and may promote understanding of potential synergistic effects of disparate stresses in this critical pollinator and social insects more broadly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mia McKinstry
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Charlie Chung
- Natural Sciences Department, LaGuardia Community College-CUNY, Long Island City, NY, 11101, USA
| | - Henry Truong
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Brittany A Johnston
- Biology Department, The City College of New York-CUNY, New York, NY, 10031, USA
| | - Jonathan W Snow
- Biology Department, Barnard College, New York, NY, 10027, USA.
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