1
|
Gibbons M, Pasquini E, Kowalewska A, Read E, Gibson S, Crump A, Solvi C, Versace E, Chittka L. Noxious stimulation induces self-protective behavior in bumblebees. iScience 2024; 27:110440. [PMID: 39104408 PMCID: PMC11298632 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
It has been widely stated that insects do not show self-protective behavior toward noxiously-stimulated body parts, but this claim has never been empirically tested. Here, we tested whether an insect species displays a type of self-protective behavior: self-grooming a noxiously-stimulated site. We touched bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) on an antenna with a noxiously heated (65°C) probe and found that, in the first 2 min after this stimulus, bees groomed their touched antenna more than their untouched antenna, and more than bees that were touched with an unheated probe or not touched at all did. Our results present evidence that bumblebees display self-protective behavior. We discuss the potential neural mechanisms of this behavior and the implications for whether insects feel pain.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matilda Gibbons
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- School of Biological and Behavioral Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Elisa Pasquini
- Center for Mind/Brain Sciences, University of Trento, Rovereto 38068, Italy
| | - Amelia Kowalewska
- School of Biological and Behavioral Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
- Academic Training Team, The Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Eva Read
- Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method, London School of Economics, London WC2A 2AE, UK
| | - Sam Gibson
- Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method, London School of Economics, London WC2A 2AE, UK
| | - Andrew Crump
- Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method, London School of Economics, London WC2A 2AE, UK
- Department of Pathobiology & Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London NW1 0TU, UK
| | - Cwyn Solvi
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou City, Guangdong Province 510515, China
| | - Elisabetta Versace
- School of Biological and Behavioral Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Lars Chittka
- School of Biological and Behavioral Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sprau L, Traynor K, Gessler B, Hasselmann M, Rosenkranz P. Mite non-reproduction is not a consequence of the brood removal behavior of varroa sensitive hygiene honey bee colonies ( Apis mellifera). Ecol Evol 2024; 14:e11595. [PMID: 38919649 PMCID: PMC11199085 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
A sustainable solution to the global threat of the Varroa destructor mite is the selection of varroa-resistant honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies. Both "mite non-reproduction" (MNR) and "varroa sensitive hygiene" (VSH) appear to be promising selection traits for achieving the goal of a resistant honey bee. MNR describes colonies that have a high number of non-reproductive mites (no offspring, no males, or delayed development of mite offspring). High numbers of non-reproductive mites have been observed in selected colonies, but the mechanism behind this trait has not yet been identified. The specialized hygienic behavior of selected honey bees, called VSH, is the removal of varroa-infested brood. These traits were thought to be linked by VSH bees preferentially removing reproductive varroa females leaving only non-reproductive mites behind in cells and thus creating colonies with high levels of MNR. To further investigate this link, we used an experimental setup and data sets from a four-year selection project designed to breed for MNR and VSH colonies. In addition, we sought to answer the question of whether non-reproductive mites are a direct consequence of worker removal behavior. To test this, we artificially induced removal behavior, and after providing the mite with enough time to re-enter another cell, we opened all capped cells, relocated the mites, and evaluated their reproduction. As shown in previous studies and in this study, VSH had no effect on MNR levels. Also, the induced removal behavior did not lead to non-reproduction in the subsequent reproductive cycle post interruption. We thus concluded that breeding for non-reproductive mites does not automatically breed for VSH behavior and worker removal behavior does not cause subsequent reproductive failure of the mites forced to flee and find a new cell for reproduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Birgit Gessler
- Department of Livestock Population Genomics, Institute of Animal ScienceUniversity of HohenheimStuttgartGermany
| | - Martin Hasselmann
- Department of Livestock Population Genomics, Institute of Animal ScienceUniversity of HohenheimStuttgartGermany
| | | |
Collapse
|
3
|
Micholson D, Currie RW. Heightened sensitivity in high-grooming honey bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2024; 24:21. [PMID: 38805645 PMCID: PMC11132134 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieae057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Honey bees use grooming to defend against the devastating parasite Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman. We observed the grooming responses of individual bees from colonies previously chosen for high- and low-grooming behavior using a combination of mite mortality and mite damage. Our aim was to gain insight into specific aspects of grooming behavior to compare if high-grooming bees could discriminate between a standardized stimulus (chalk dust) and a stimulus of live Varroa mites and if bees from high-grooming colonies had greater sensitivity across different body regions than bees from low-grooming colonies. We hypothesized that individuals from high-grooming colonies would be more sensitive to both stimuli than bees from low-grooming colonies across different body regions and that bees would have a greater response to Varroa than a standardized irritant (chalk dust). Individuals from high-grooming colonies responded with longer bouts of intense grooming when either stimulus was applied to the head or thorax, compared to sham-stimulated controls, while bees from low-grooming colonies showed no differences between stimulated and sham-stimulated bees. Further, high-grooming bees from colonies with high mite damage exhibited greater grooming to Varroa than high-grooming colonies with only moderate mite damage rates. This study provides new insights into Varroa-specific aspects of grooming, showing that although a standardized stimulus (chalk dust) may be used to assess general grooming ability in individual bee grooming assays, it does not capture the same range of responses as a stimulus of Varroa. Thus, continuing to use Varroa mites in grooming assays should help select colonies with more precise sensitivity to Varroa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Derek Micholson
- Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, 218-12 Dafoe Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| | - Robert W Currie
- Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, 218-12 Dafoe Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3T 2N2, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Zhang W, Sun C, Lang H, Wang J, Li X, Guo J, Zhang Z, Zheng H. Toll receptor ligand Spätzle 4 responses to the highly pathogenic Enterococcus faecalis from Varroa mites in honeybees. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011897. [PMID: 38150483 PMCID: PMC10775982 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Honeybees play a major role in crop pollination, which supports the agricultural economy and international food supply. The colony health of honeybees is threatened by the parasitic mite Varroa destructor, which inflicts physical injury on the hosts and serves as the vector for variable viruses. Recently, it shows that V. destructor may also transmit bacteria through the feeding wound, yet it remains unclear whether the invading bacteria can exhibit pathogenicity to the honeybees. Here, we incidentally isolate Enterococcus faecalis, one of the most abundant bacteria in Varroa mites, from dead bees during our routine generation of microbiota-free bees in the lab. In vivo tests show that E. faecalis is only pathogenic in Apis mellifera but not in Apis cerana. The expression of antimicrobial peptide genes is elevated following infection in A. cerana. The gene-based molecular evolution analysis identifies positive selection of genes encoding Späetzle 4 (Spz4) in A. cerana, a signaling protein in the Toll pathway. The amino acid sites under positive selection are related to structural changes in Spz4 protein, suggesting improvement of immunity in A. cerana. The knock-down of Spz4 in A. cerana significantly reduces the survival rates under E. faecalis challenge and the expression of antimicrobial peptide genes. Our results indicate that bacteria associated with Varroa mites are pathogenic to adult bees, and the positively selected gene Spz4 in A. cerana is crucial in response to this mite-related pathogen.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Zhang
- Faculty of Food Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Cheng Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Capital Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Haoyu Lang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jieni Wang
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- Faculty of Food Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Jun Guo
- Faculty of Life Science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Zijing Zhang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Hebei Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Environment, College of Life Sciences, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Hao Zheng
- Faculty of Food Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
- College of Food Science and Nutritional Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Bianchi EM, Ferrari C, Aguirre NC, Filippi CV, Vera PA, Puebla AF, Gennari GP, Rodríguez GA, Scannapieco AC, Acuña CV, Lanzavecchia SB. Phenotypic and genetic characterization of Africanized Apis mellifera colonies with natural tolerance to Varroa destructor and contrasting defensive behavior. FRONTIERS IN INSECT SCIENCE 2023; 3:1175760. [PMID: 38469487 PMCID: PMC10926445 DOI: 10.3389/finsc.2023.1175760] [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: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
Africanized Apis mellifera colonies with promising characteristics for beekeeping have been detected in northern Argentina (subtropical climate) and are considered of interest for breeding programs. Integral evaluation of this feral material revealed high colony strength and resistance/tolerance to brood diseases. However, these Africanized honeybees (AHB) also showed variable negative behavioral traits for beekeeping, such as defensiveness, tendency to swarm and avoidance behavior. We developed a protocol for the selection of AHB stocks based on defensive behavior and characterized contrasting colonies for this trait using NGS technologies. For this purpose, population and behavioral parameters were surveyed throughout a beekeeping season in nine daughter colonies obtained from a mother colony (A1 mitochondrial haplotype) with valuable characteristics (tolerance to the mite Varroa destructor, high colony strength and low defensiveness). A Defensive Behavior Index was developed and tested in the colonies under study. Mother and two daughter colonies displaying contrasting defensive behavior were analyzed by ddRADseq. High-quality DNA samples were obtained from 16 workers of each colony. Six pooled samples, including two replicates of each of the three colonies, were processed. A total of 12,971 SNPs were detected against the reference genome of A. mellifera, 142 of which showed significant differences between colonies. We detected SNPs in coding regions, lncRNA, miRNA, rRNA, tRNA, among others. From the original data set, we also identified 647 SNPs located in protein-coding regions, 128 of which are related to 21 genes previously associated with defensive behavior, such as dop3 and dopR2, CaMKII and ADAR, obp9 and obp10, and members of the 5-HT family. We discuss the obtained results by considering the influence of polyandry and paternal lineages on the defensive behavior in AHB and provide baseline information to use this innovative molecular approach, ddRADseq, to assist in the selection and evaluation of honey bee stocks showing low defensive behavior for commercial uses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eliana Mariel Bianchi
- Área Animal, Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco-Semiárido (IIACS) - Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Santa Rosa de Leales, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Carolina Ferrari
- Escuela de Ciencias Agrarias, Naturales y Ambientales (ECANA), Universidad Nacional del Noroeste de Buenos Aires (UNNOBA), Pergamino, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia C. Aguirre
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Carla V. Filippi
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Laboratorio de Bioquímica, Departamento de Biología Vegetal, Facultad de Agronomía, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Pablo A. Vera
- Unidad de Genómica, Instituto de Biotecnología-Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas (CICVyA), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrea Fabiana Puebla
- Unidad de Genómica, Instituto de Biotecnología-Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas (CICVyA), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA)-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gerardo P. Gennari
- Estación Experimental Agropecuaria (EEA) Famaillá, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Famaillá, Tucumán, Argentina
| | - Graciela A. Rodríguez
- Estación Experimental Agropecuaria (EEA) Ascasubi, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Hilario Ascasubi, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Alejandra Carla Scannapieco
- Instituto de Genética, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO) Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cintia V. Acuña
- Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Silvia B. Lanzavecchia
- Instituto de Genética, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Instituto de Agrobiotecnología y Biología Molecular (IABIMO) Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Hurlingham, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
El-Seedi HR, El-Wahed AAA, Zhao C, Saeed A, Zou X, Guo Z, Hegazi AG, Shehata AA, El-Seedi HHR, Algethami AF, Al Naggar Y, Agamy NF, Rateb ME, Ramadan MFA, Khalifa SAM, Wang K. A Spotlight on the Egyptian Honeybee ( Apis mellifera lamarckii). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12202749. [PMID: 36290135 PMCID: PMC9597722 DOI: 10.3390/ani12202749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The Egyptian honeybee (Apis mellifera lamarckii) is one of the honeybee subspecies known for centuries since the ancient Egypt civilization. The subspecies of the Egyptian honeybee is distinguished by certain traits of appearance and behavior that were well-adapted to the environment and unique in a way that it is resistant to bee diseases, such as the Varroa disease. The subspecies is different than those found in Europe and is native to southern Egypt. Therefore, a special care should be paid to the vulnerable A. m. lamarckii subspecies and greater knowledge about the risk factors as well as conservation techniques will protect these bees. Additionally, more qualitative and quantitative measures will be taken to obtain deep insights into the A. m. lamarckii products’ chemical profile and biological characters. Abstract Egypt has an ongoing long history with beekeeping, which started with the ancient Egyptians making various reliefs and inscriptions of beekeeping on their tombs and temples. The Egyptian honeybee (Apis mellifera lamarckii) is an authentic Egyptian honeybee subspecies utilized in apiculture. A. m. lamarckii is a distinct honeybee subspecies that has a particular body color, size, and high levels of hygienic behavior. Additionally, it has distinctive characteristics; including the presence of the half-queens, an excessive number of swarm cells, high adaptability to climatic conditions, good resistance to specific bee diseases, including the Varro disorder, and continuous breeding during the whole year despite low productivity, using very little propolis, and tending to abscond readily. This review discusses the history of beekeeping in Egypt and its current situation in addition to its morphology, genetic analysis, and distinctive characters, and the defensive behaviors of native A. m. lamarckii subspecies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hesham R. El-Seedi
- International Research Center for Food Nutrition and Safety, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
- Pharmacognosy Group, Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Biomedical Centre, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 591, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shebin El-Koom 32512, Egypt
- International Joint Research Laboratory of Intelligent Agriculture and Agri-Products Processing, Jiangsu Education Department, Nanjing 210024, China
- Correspondence: (H.R.E.-S.); (S.A.M.K.); Tel.: +46-700-43-43-43 (H.R.E.-S.)
| | - Aida A. Abd El-Wahed
- Department of Bee Research, Plant Protection Research Institute, Agricultural Research Centre, Giza 12627, Egypt
| | - Chao Zhao
- College of Marine Sciences, Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou 350002, China
| | - Aamer Saeed
- Department of Chemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad 45320, Pakistan
| | - Xiaobo Zou
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Zhiming Guo
- School of Food and Biological Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Ahmed G. Hegazi
- Zoonotic Diseases Department, National Research Centre, Giza 12622, Egypt
| | - Awad A. Shehata
- Avian and Rabbit Diseases Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sadat City, Menoufia 22857, Egypt
- PerNaturam GmbH, An der Trift 8, 56290 Gödenroth, Germany
- Prophy-Institute for Applied Prophylaxis, 59159 Bönen, Germany
| | | | - Ahmed F. Algethami
- Alnahal Aljwal Foundation Saudi Arabia, P.O. Box 617, Makkah 24211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yahya Al Naggar
- Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Neveen F. Agamy
- Nutrition Department, Food Analysis Division, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21561, Egypt
| | - Mostafa E. Rateb
- School of Computing, Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK
| | - Mohamed F. A. Ramadan
- Central Agriculture Pesticides Laboratory, Pesticide Analysis Research Department, Agriculture Research Center, Giza 24221, Egypt
| | - Shaden A. M. Khalifa
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The Wenner-Gren Institute, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
- Correspondence: (H.R.E.-S.); (S.A.M.K.); Tel.: +46-700-43-43-43 (H.R.E.-S.)
| | - Kai Wang
- Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100093, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Field evaluation of Varroa-resistance traits in surviving Apis mellifera colonies in Argentina. Parasitol Res 2021; 120:4013-4021. [PMID: 34635942 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-021-07337-y] [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: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Varroa destructor is one of the most important sanitary threats for the beekeeping industry and so far disease control is based mainly on chemical treatment. However, a long-term solution may arise from studying natural surviving colonies of Apis mellifera. We compared the Varroa infestation rate in six commercial colonies that received annual treatment against mites and six non-treated colonies that survived in absence of any treatment for the last 6 years. In addition, we evaluated two potential mechanisms that might be involved in colony survival: hygienic (HYG) and Varroa-sensitive hygiene behavior (VSH) by means of pin-killed and mite artificial infestation, respectively. HYG and VSH were negatively correlated with mite infestation independently of the colony group (treated or non-treated). Furthermore, colonies expressing high levels of pupae removal (≥ 80%) showed higher %HYG and lower mite infestation compared to colonies showing low pupae removal (< 80%). The analysis of reproductive status of mites from the non-removed infested cells evidenced that more infertile mites are found in colonies with more than 80% of pupae removal. To study non-treated colonies that survive for several years, it is a suitable approach for identifying the underlying mechanisms related to Varroa-resistance.
Collapse
|
8
|
Smith J, Cleare XL, Given K, Li-Byarlay H. Morphological Changes in the Mandibles Accompany the Defensive Behavior of Indiana Mite Biting Honey Bees Against Varroa Destructor. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.638308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The honey bee (Apis mellifera) is the most important managed pollinator to sustainable agriculture and our ecosystem. Yet managed honey bee colonies in the United States experience 30–40% losses annually. Among the many biotic stressors, the parasitic mite Varroa destructor is considered one of the main causes of colony losses. Bees’ mite-biting behavior has been selected as a Varroa-tolerant or Varroa-resistant trait in the state of Indiana for more than a decade. A survey of damaged mites from the bottom of a colony can be used as an extended phenotype to evaluate the mite-biting behavior of a colony. In this study, on average, 37% of mites sampled from the breeding stocks of 59 colonies of mite biters in Indiana were damaged or mutilated, which is significantly higher than the 19% of damaged mites found in commercial colonies in the southern United States. Indiana mite biter colonies had a higher proportion of damaged mites, although among the damaged mites, the number of missing legs was not significantly higher. In addition, the morphology of pollen-forager worker bee mandibles was compared by X-ray microcomputed tomography for six parameters in two populations, and a difference was detected in one parameter. Our results provide scientific evidence that potentially explains the defensive mechanism against Varroa mites: structural changes in the worker bee mandibles.
Collapse
|
9
|
Hinshaw C, Evans KC, Rosa C, López-Uribe MM. The Role of Pathogen Dynamics and Immune Gene Expression in the Survival of Feral Honey Bees. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2020.594263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies of the ecoimmunology of feral organisms can provide valuable insight into how host–pathogen dynamics change as organisms transition from human-managed conditions back into the wild. Honey bees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus) offer an ideal system to investigate these questions as colonies of these social insects often escape management and establish in the wild. While managed honey bee colonies have low probability of survival in the absence of disease treatments, feral colonies commonly survive in the wild, where pathogen pressures are expected to be higher due to the absence of disease treatments. Here, we investigate the role of pathogen infections [Deformed wing virus (DWV), Black queen cell virus (BQCV), and Nosema ceranae] and immune gene expression (defensin-1, hymenoptaecin, pgrp-lc, pgrp-s2, argonaute-2, vago) in the survival of feral and managed honey bee colonies. We surveyed a total of 25 pairs of feral and managed colonies over a 2-year period (2017–2018), recorded overwintering survival, and measured pathogen levels and immune gene expression using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Our results showed that feral colonies had higher levels of DWV but it was variable over time compared to managed colonies. Higher pathogen levels were associated with increased immune gene expression, with feral colonies showing higher expression in five out of the six examined immune genes for at least one sampling period. Further analysis revealed that differential expression of the genes hymenoptaecin and vago increased the odds of overwintering survival in managed and feral colonies. Our results revealed that feral colonies express immune genes at higher levels in response to high pathogen burdens, providing evidence for the role of feralization in altering pathogen landscapes and host immune responses.
Collapse
|
10
|
De la Mora A, Emsen B, Morfin N, Borges D, Eccles L, Kelly PG, Goodwin PH, Guzman-Novoa E. Selective Breeding for Low and High Varroa destructor Growth in Honey Bee ( Apis mellifera) Colonies: Initial Results of Two Generations. INSECTS 2020; 11:insects11120864. [PMID: 33291568 PMCID: PMC7761820 DOI: 10.3390/insects11120864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The mite Varroa destructor is considered the most damaging parasite of honey bees worldwide. Beekeepers use synthetic chemical products to control mite infestations in colonies, but the parasites soon develop resistance to them, which compromises their control. One alternative control strategy is the development of Varroa-resistant honey bees. Therefore, a breeding program was initiated to select for lower and higher rates of Varroa-population growth (LVG and HVG, respectively) and deformed wing virus (DWV) levels, which is transmitted by the mites. After two years of bidirectional selection, LVG colonies had Varroa population increases over the summer of 1.7 fold compared to 9.6 fold for HVG colonies. Additionally, HVG colonies had higher mite infestation rates in adult bees compared to LVG colonies. DWV presence and levels were higher in HVG colonies than in LVG colonies and winter mortality rates were 26% and 14% for the HVG and LVG bee types, respectively. The results of this study thus far indicate that selection for LVG may result in colonies with lower Varroa infestation rates, lower prevalence, and levels of DWV and higher colony winter survivorship. Future work will focus on determining mechanisms responsible for genetic differences and in identifying genes associated with Varroa-resistance in honey bees. Abstract After two years of bidirectional selection for low and high rates of Varroa destructor population growth (LVG and HVG, respectively) in honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies in Ontario, Canada, significant differences between the two genotypes were observed. LVG colonies had V. destructor population increases over the summer of 1.7 fold compared to 9.6 fold for HVG colonies by Generation 2. Additionally, HVG colonies had significantly higher mite infestation rates in adult bees compared to LVG colonies for both selected generations. DWV prevalence and levels were significantly higher in HVG colonies than in LVG colonies in Generation 1 but not in Generation 2. Winter mortality rates of Generation 1 colonies were significantly different at 26% and 14% for the HVG and LVG genotypes, respectively. The results of this study thus far indicate that selection for LVG may result in colonies with lower V. destructor infestation rates, lower prevalence, and levels of DWV and higher colony winter survivorship. Future work will focus on determining what mechanisms are responsible for the genotypic differences, estimating genetic parameters, and molecular analyses of the genotypes to identify candidate genes associated with resistance to V. destructor and DWV that could potentially be used for marker-assisted selection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro De la Mora
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (A.D.l.M.); (B.E.); (N.M.); (P.G.K.); (P.H.G.)
| | - Berna Emsen
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (A.D.l.M.); (B.E.); (N.M.); (P.G.K.); (P.H.G.)
- Department of Animal Science, Agricultural Faculty, Ataturk University, Erzurum 25240, Turkey
| | - Nuria Morfin
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (A.D.l.M.); (B.E.); (N.M.); (P.G.K.); (P.H.G.)
| | - Daniel Borges
- Ontario Beekeepers’ Association Technology Transfer Program, 185, 5420 Hwy 6 N, Orchard Park Office, Guelph, ON N1H 6J2, Canada; (D.B.); (L.E.)
| | - Les Eccles
- Ontario Beekeepers’ Association Technology Transfer Program, 185, 5420 Hwy 6 N, Orchard Park Office, Guelph, ON N1H 6J2, Canada; (D.B.); (L.E.)
| | - Paul G. Kelly
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (A.D.l.M.); (B.E.); (N.M.); (P.G.K.); (P.H.G.)
| | - Paul H. Goodwin
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (A.D.l.M.); (B.E.); (N.M.); (P.G.K.); (P.H.G.)
| | - Ernesto Guzman-Novoa
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Road East, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada; (A.D.l.M.); (B.E.); (N.M.); (P.G.K.); (P.H.G.)
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|