Influence of winter feeding on colony development and the antioxidant system of the honey bee, Apis mellifera

AbstractAlpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is an n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), influences honey bee feed intake and longevity. The objective of this study was to research the effect of six dietary ALA levels on the growth and development of Apis mellifera ligustica colonies. In the early spring, a total of 36 honey bee colonies of equal size and queen quality were randomly allocated into 6 groups. The six groups of honey bees were fed a basal diet with supplementation of ALA levels at 0 (group A), 2 (group B), 4 (group C), 6 (group D), 8 (group E), and 10% (group F). In this study, there were significant effects of pollen substitute ALA levels on the feeding amounts of the bee colony, colony population, sealed brood amount, and weight of newly emerged workers (P<0.05). The workers’ midgut Lipase (LPS) activity of group C was significantly lower than that of the other groups (P<0.01). The worker bees in groups B, C, and D had significantly longer lifespans than those in the other groups (P<0.05). However, when the diets had ALA concentrations of more than 6%, the mortality of the honey bees increased (P<0.01). These results indicate that ALA levels of 2 ~ 4% of the pollen substitute were optimal for maintaining the highest reproductive performance and the digestion and absorption of fatty acids in honey bees during the period of spring multiplication. Additionally, ALA levels of 2 ~ 6% of the pollen substitute, improved worker bee longevity.

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Differential expression of antioxidant system genes in honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) caste development mitigates ROS-mediated oxidative damage in queen larvae

Genetics and Molecular Biology ◽

10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2020-0173 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 43 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Douglas Elias Santos ◽

Anderson de Oliveira Souza ◽

Gustavo Jacomini Tibério ◽

Luciane Carla Alberici ◽

Klaus Hartfelder

Keyword(s):

Apis Mellifera ◽

Oxidative Damage ◽

Differential Expression ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Antioxidant System ◽

Caste Development ◽

Queen Larvae

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The acaricidal effect of flumethrin, oxalic acid and amitraz against Varroa destructor in honey bee (Apis mellifera carnica) colonies

Acta Veterinaria Brno ◽

10.2754/avb201180010051 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 80 (1) ◽

pp. 51-56 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Maja Ivana Smodiš Škerl ◽

Mitja Nakrst ◽

Lucija Žvokelj ◽

Aleš Gregorc

Keyword(s):

Apis Mellifera ◽

Oxalic Acid ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Varroa Destructor ◽

Colony Development ◽

Apis Mellifera Carnica ◽

Brood Rearing ◽

Mite Control ◽

Bee Colonies ◽

Mite Mortality

During 2007 and 2008, natural mite mortality was recorded in honey bee colonies. These colonies were then treated with various acaricides against Varroa destructor and acaricide efficacies were evaluated. In 2007, experimental colonies were treated with flumethrin and/or oxalic acid and in 2008 the same colonies were treated with flumethrin, oxalic acid or amitraz. The efficacy of flumethrin in 2007 averaged 73.62% compared to 70.12% for three oxalic acid treatments. In 2008, a reduction of 12.52% in mite numbers was found 4 weeks after flumethrin application, while 4 oxalic acid applications produced significantly higher (P < 0.05) mite mortality, an average of 24.13%. Four consecutive amitraz fumigations produced a 93.82% reduction on average in final mite numbers and thus ensure normal colony development and overwintering. The study is important in order to demonstrate that synthetic acaricides should be constantly re-evaluated and the use of flumethrin at low efficacies need to be superseded by appropriate organic treatments to increase the efficacy of mite control in highly-infested colonies during the period of brood rearing.

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Glucosinolate Bioactivation by Apis mellifera Workers and Its Impact on Nosema ceranae Infection at the Colony Level

Biomolecules ◽

10.3390/biom11111657 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (11) ◽

pp. 1657

Author(s):

Luisa Ugolini ◽

Giovanni Cilia ◽

Eleonora Pagnotta ◽

Lorena Malaguti ◽

Vittorio Capano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Apis Mellifera ◽

Honey Bee ◽

Specific Effect ◽

Hydrolytic Activity ◽

Nosema Ceranae ◽

Colony Development ◽

Control Group ◽

Human Consumption ◽

Protective Effects ◽

Bee Colonies

The microsporidian fungus Nosema ceranae represents one of the primary bee infection threats worldwide and the antibiotic fumagillin is the only registered product for nosemosis disease control, while few alternatives are, at present, available. Natural bioactive compounds deriving from the glucosinolate–myrosinase system (GSL–MYR) in Brassicaceae plants, mainly isothiocyanates (ITCs), are known for their antimicrobial activity against numerous pathogens and for their health-protective effects in humans. This work explored the use of Brassica nigra and Eruca sativa defatted seed meal (DSM) GSL-containing diets against natural Nosema infection in Apis mellifera colonies. DSM patties from each plant species were obtained by adding DSMs to sugar candy at the concentration of 4% (w/w). The feeding was administered in May to mildly N. ceranae-infected honey bee colonies for four weeks at the dose of 250 g/week. In the treated groups, no significant effects on colony development and bee mortality were observed compared to the negative controls. The N. ceranae abundance showed a slight but significant decrease. Furthermore, the GSL metabolism in bees was investigated, and MYR hydrolytic activity was qualitatively searched in isolated bee midgut and hindgut. Interestingly, MYR activity was detected both in the bees fed DSMs and in the control group where the bees did not receive DSMs. In parallel, ITCs were found in gut tissues from the bees treated with DSMs, corroborating the presence of a MYR-like enzyme capable of hydrolyzing ingested GSLs. On the other hand, GSLs and other GSL hydrolysis products other than ITCs, such as nitriles, were found in honey produced by the treated bees, potentially increasing the health value of the final product for human consumption. The results are indicative of a specific effect on the N. ceranae infection in managed honey bee colonies depending on the GSL activation within the target organ.

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