Search Results (949)

Royal jelly (RJ), a secretion from nurse bees, is a key factor in honeybee caste differentiation and a high-value product in apitherapy. Despite its economic and biological importance, factors affecting its yield and composition remain insufficient. This study investigated the impact of grafted larval age and sex and the collection day of RJ on its yield and physicochemical characteristics. Three independent experiments were conducted using strong Apis mellifera L. colonies. Larvae of different ages (first, second, and third) were grafted, and RJ was harvested 24, 48, and 72 h post grafting. Additionally, worker and drone larvae were used to assess the effect of larval sex. RJ was analyzed for moisture, protein, sugar, and 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid (10-had) content. Results showed that RJ yield significantly increased with collection day, with the third day being optimal. Protein content declined over time, while moisture content rose, although sugar levels and 10-HDA remained stable. Second-day larvae yielded the highest RJ volume without affecting composition. Larval sex did not significantly influence either RJ yield or composition. The results of this study may provide valuable insights into the quality determinants of royal jelly, enabling beekeepers to optimize production for both enhanced royal jelly yield and the rearing of higher-quality queen bees. Full article

Effective control of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor in honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies relies on integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to prevent mite populations from reaching economic injury levels. Formulations of oxalic acid combined with glycerin may provide a viable summer treatment option in continental Northern climates. This study evaluated the efficacy of oxalic acid and glycerin strips compared to oxalic acid dribble and 65% formic acid when applied in mid-August. Mite levels and colony health parameters were assessed, and honey samples from oxalic acid-treated colonies were analyzed for residue levels. Results showed that the oxalic acid and glycerin strips had a moderate acaricidal efficacy (55.8 ± 3.2%), which was significantly higher than those of 65% formic acid (42.6 ± 3.2%) and oxalic acid dribble (39.5 ± 4.3%), which did not differ between them, suggesting potential for summer mite control. No significant adverse effects on cluster size, worker mortality, queen status, or colony survival were observed. Oxalic acid and glycerin increased the proportion of spotty brood patterns at early timepoints after treatment, but recovery was noted after 45 days of starting the treatment. Similar effects on brood were observed with 65% formic acid 14 days after starting the treatment, with recovery by 28 and 45 days after starting the treatment. No significant differences in oxalic acid residues in honey from the control and treatment colonies were found. Oxalic acid and glycerin strips might help control varroa mite populations, delaying their exponential growth and helping reduce economic losses for beekeepers, but this treatment should be considered as part of an IPM strategy and not a stand-alone method for V. destructor control. Full article

The search for substances that increase the immunity of bees is becoming a necessity in the era of various environmental threats and the declining immunocompetence of these insects. Therefore, we tested the biological and physicochemical properties of 7-diethylamino-4-hydroxycoumarin (7DOC). In a cage test, two groups of bees were created: a control group fed with sugar syrup and an experimental group fed with sugar syrup with the addition of 7DOC. In each group, the longevity of the bees was determined and the protein concentrations and antioxidant activities in the bees’ hemolymph were determined. The bees fed with 7DOC lived 2.7 times longer than those in the control group. The protein concentrations and activities of SOD, CAT, GPx and GST, as well as the TAC levels, were significantly higher in the hemolymph of the supplemented workers. To confirm these potent biological properties of 7DOC, the UV-Vis spectra, emission and excitation of fluorescence, synchronous spectra and finally the fluorescence lifetimes of this compound were measured using the time-correlated single photon counting method, in various environments differing in polarity and in the environment applied in bee research. This compound was shown to be sensitive to changes in solvent polarity. The spectroscopic assays were complemented with crystallographic tests of the obtained monocrystals of the aforementioned compounds, which attested to the aggregation effects observed in the spectra measurements for the selected coumarin. The research results confirm that this compound has the potential to be implemented in apiary management, which will be our application goal, but further research into apiary conditions is required. Full article

The present study evaluated the larvicidal and pupicidal activities of pure and mixed monoterpene formulations—eucalyptol, geranial, trans-anethole, and trans-cinnamaldehyde—against Aedes aegypti and compared them with 1% (w/w) temephos. Safety bioassays of all formulations on non-target species confirmed their safety. The combined mixture of eucalyptol + trans-anethole at 400 µg/mL exhibited stronger larvicidal activity, with an LC₅₀ of 176 µg/mL, while the combination of trans-anethole + geranial at 400 µg/mL exhibited stronger pupicidal activity with an LC₅₀ of 167 µg/mL. Both formulations were more effective than a 1% temephos. All the mixture formulations were more strongly synergistic compared to pure formulations, with an increased mortality value (IMV) of 25% to 95%. External morphological aberrations observed at death included swelling of the respiratory system. Importantly, all the formulations were safe for two non-target species: guppies (Poecilia reticulata) and honeybees (Apis mellifera). The combination formulations are strong larvicides and pupicides for controlling Ae. Aegypti, which will help reduce the spread of viruses carried by this vector. Full article

Automatic recognition systems (ARS) have been proposed in scientific and technological research for the care and preservation of endangered species; these systems, consisting of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and object-recognition techniques with artificial intelligence (AI), have emerged as proposed solutions to detect and prevent parasite attacks on Apis mellifera bees. This article presents a pilot ARS for the recognition and analysis of honeybees at the hive entrance using IoT devices and automatic object-recognition techniques, for the early detection of the Varroa mite in test apiaries. Two object-recognition techniques, namely the k-Nearest Neighbor Algorithm (kNN) and Graph Neural Network (GNN), were evaluated with an image dataset of 600 images from a single beehive. The results of the experiments show the viability of using GNN in real environments. GNN has greater accuracy in bee recognition, but with greater processing time, while the kNN classifier requires fewer processing resources but has lower recognition accuracy. Full article

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are major pollinators, playing a critical role in global food production, biodiversity, and ecosystem stability. However, their populations are increasingly threatened by multiple interacting stressors, including pesticide exposure. Among these, agricultural insecticides and anti-Varroa acaricides such as dinotefuran and amitraz can persist in hive matrices, resulting in chronic and combined exposure. This study investigates the low lethal (LC₁₀ and LC₃₀) effects of these compounds, individually and in combination, on honey bee survival, immune function, oxidative stress responses, detoxification pathways, and hypopharyngeal gland morphology. Both pesticides negatively affected honey bee health at low lethal concentrations, with dinotefuran showing higher toxicity. Exposure led to the reduced survival, suppression of vitellogenin expression, and dysregulation of genes related to antioxidant defense, immunity, and detoxification. Additionally, high concentrations of dinotefuran and its combination with amitraz impaired hypopharyngeal gland morphology. Notably, co-exposure resulted in synergistic toxic effects, exacerbating physiological damage beyond individual treatments. These findings emphasize the potential risks of combined exposure to agricultural and beekeeping pesticides. A more comprehensive risk assessment and stricter regulations are urgently needed. Full article

The singular biodiversity of the Brazilian Caatinga inspires innovative solutions in food science. In this study, we evaluated the prebiotic potential of honeys produced by Apis mellifera in the Pajeú hinterland, Pernambuco, Brazil (Caatinga Biome), with different floral origins: Mastic (Aroeira), Mesquite (Algaroba), and mixed flowers. These were used to formulate synbiotic and alcoholic beverages fermented by Saccharomyces boulardii CNCM I-745. Static and dynamic simulations of the human gastrointestinal tract (GIT) were used, as well as physicochemical, rheological, and microbiological analyses. The results revealed that honey positively influences the viability and resilience of probiotic yeast, especially honey with a predominance of Algaroba, which promoted the highest survival rate (>89%) even after 28 days of refrigeration and in dynamic in vitro simulation of the GIT (more realistic to human physio-anatomical conditions). The phenolic composition of the honeys showed a correlation with this tolerance. The use of complementary methodologies, such as flow cytometry, validated the findings and highlighted the functional value of these natural matrices, revealing an even greater longevity potential compared to conventional microbiological methodology. The data reinforces the potential of the Caatinga as a source of bioactive and sustainable compounds, proposing honey as a promising non-dairy synbiotic vehicle. This work contributes to the appreciation of the biome and the development of functional food products with a positive social, economic, and ecological impact. Full article

The growing recognition of animal sentience has led to notable progress in European Union animal welfare legislation. However, a significant inconsistency remains: while mammals, birds, and cephalopods are legally protected as sentient beings, honeybees (Apis mellifera)—despite robust scientific evidence of their cognitive, emotional, and sensory complexity—are excluded from such protections. This manuscript examines, from an interdisciplinary perspective, the divergence between emerging evidence on invertebrate sentience and current EU legal frameworks. Honeybees and cephalopods serve as comparative case studies to assess inconsistencies in the criteria for legal recognition of sentience. Findings increasingly confirm that honeybees exhibit advanced cognitive functions, emotional states, and behavioral flexibility comparable to those of legally protected vertebrates. Their omission from welfare legislation lacks scientific justification and raises ethical and ecological concerns, especially given their central role in pollination and ecosystem stability. In general, we advocate for the inclusion of Apis mellifera in EU animal welfare policy. However, we are aware that there are also critical views on their introduction, which we address in a dedicated paragraph of the manuscript. For this reason, we advocate a gradual and evidence-based approach, guided by a permanent observatory, which could ensure that legislation evolves in parallel with scientific understanding, promoting ethical consistency, sustainable agriculture, and integrated health under the One Health framework. This approach would meet the concerns of consumers who consider well-being and respect for the environment as essential principles of breeding, and who carefully choose products from animals raised with systems that respect welfare, with indisputable economic advantages for the beekeeper. Full article

We explored the stationarity, trend, and seasonality of the hive weight and in-hive temperature of ten managed honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies at a research apiary of the Carl Hayden Bee Research Center in Tucson, Arizona, USA. The hives were monitored with electronic scales and in-hive temperature sensors from June to October 2022. The weight and temperature were recorded every five minutes around the clock. The collected data were curated into 2160 timestamped weight and 2160 timestamped temperature observations. We performed a systematic autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) time series analysis to answer three fundamental questions: (a) Does seasonality matter in the ARIMA forecasting of hive weight and in-hive temperature? (b) To what extent do the best forecasters of one hive generalize to other hives? and (c) Which time series type (i.e., hive weight or in-hive temperature) is better predictable? Our principal findings were as follows: (1) The hive weight and in-hive temperature series were not white noise, were not normally distributed, and, for most hives, were not difference- or trend-stationary; (2) Seasonality matters, in that seasonal ARIMA (SARIMA) forecasters outperformed their ARIMA counterparts on the curated dataset; (3) The best hive weight and in-hive temperature forecasters of the ten monitored colonies appeared to be colony-specific; (4) The accuracy of the hive weight forecasts was consistently higher than that of the in-hive temperature forecasts; (5) The weight and temperature forecasts exhibited common qualitative patterns. Full article

Background: Contemporary agriculture heavily relies on synthetic chemicals to ensure high yields and food security; however, their overuse has led to health issues and the development of pesticide resistance in pests. Researchers are now exploring natural, eco-friendly alternatives for pest control. Methods: This study evaluated two ethanol-based formulations (1.25% and 2.50%, v/v) derived from the tangerine peel (Citrus reticulata L. var. Clementina) against conventional chemical treatments and an untreated control group in the cultivation of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L. var. Capiro). A randomised block design was used, with three blocks per treatment containing 45 plants. The experiment was conducted during the wet season (February–April 2023). Results: According to visual inspections and yellow traps, following weekly application from days 30 to 105 post-planting to monitor pest (e.g., Frankliniella occidentalis, Aphididae) and beneficial insect (e.g., Coccinellidae, Apis mellifera) populations, the 2.50% formulation performed similarly to chemical treatments against pests, whilst being harmless to beneficial insects. Post-harvest analysis showed that the formulations achieved 73% of conventional yields, with comparable tuber damage and levels of Premnotrypes vorax larvae. Conclusions: Toxicological tests confirmed the eco-friendliness of the formulations, making them suitable for small-scale Andean ‘chakras’ in organic farming and honey production, without the use of chemicals. Full article

The mechanisms of chemoreception in fig wasps (Hymenoptera, Agaonidae) are of primary importance in their co-evolutionary relationship with the fig trees they pollinate. As the supplementary receptors to odorant receptors (ORs) and gustatory receptors (GRs) in insects, we compare the evolutionary characters of ionotropic receptors (IRs) among 25 fig wasp taxa in six genera. In total, we identified 205 IRs in 25 fig wasps, with each taxon recording from 5 to 12 IR genes. We found 189 IR genes clustered into 18 orthologous groups that can be divided into three types: IRco, antennal IRs, and divergent IRs. More IRs belong to antennal IRs in fig wasps, which can be sensitive to acids, aldehydes, polyamines, salt, amino acids, and temperature/humidity according to homology comparison. Additionally, some IR genes in fig wasps do not cluster with those of outgroup species (e.g., Drosophila melanogaster, Apis mellifera), suggesting they may represent a unique group and may have special functions in fig wasps. Divergent IRs are very few, with large sequence variation between species. Compared to ORs and GRs in fig wasps, gene sequences in most IR orthologous groups are more conserved between genera, with the lowest sequence similarity in 10 orthologous groups (including three IRco) exhibiting above 58.5%. Gene sequences are consistent with the phylogenetic relationships among fig wasps, which is the same as ORs and GRs. Strong purifying selection of IR genes was detected, as shown by the low ω values. Signatures of positive selection were detected in loci from three orthologous groups. Our results provide important molecular information for further studies on chemosensory mechanisms in fig wasps. Full article

Bee pollen’s aroma combined with other floral components serve various purposes, including attracting pollinators and signaling the availability of food sources. The present study aimed to comparatively analyze the volatile profiles of unifloral pollen taxa. Bee pollen loads were collected using pollen traps and sorted based on their botanical origin, determined by color and pollen grain morphology. The separated pollen samples were analyzed using a Purge & Trap/GC-MS system, identifying the volatile profiles of pollen from 16 plant species. The analysis revealed distinguished differences in the total volatile organic compounds (VOCs) among the various pollen species. Notably, the pollen from Erica manipuliflora, Papaver rhoeas, and Sisymbrium irio contained the highest number of VOCs, with 54, 51, and 42 substances detected, respectively. Certain volatile compounds appeared to correlate with increased bee visitation. For instance, 4-methyl-5-nonanone was uniquely found in E. manipuliflora pollen, while isothiocyanate compounds were exclusively present in species of the Brassicaceae family. Therefore, given the significant impact of VOCs on honey bees’ preferences, it is essential to consider not only the nutritional value of bee pollen when evaluating its beekeeping value, but also its aroma profile. Full article

Klebsiella pneumoniae can acquire resistance mechanisms to colistin and present a pan-resistant phenotype. Therefore, new alternative agents are imperative to control this pathogen, and the peptide Jelleine-I stands out as a promising prototype. Here, the antibacterial activity of Jelleine-I against clinical isolates of colistin-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) was investigated. Antimicrobial activity was assessed by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and time kill-curve assay. The release of 260 nm-absorbing materials (DNA/RNA) and the release of proteins were used in the lysis assay. Anti-biofilm activity was studied in microplates. In vivo activity was determined by the lethality assay using Tenebrio molitor larvae. The results show that the MIC of Jelleine-I ranged from 16 to 128 µM and the MBC was on average 128 µM. Jelleine-I at 200 µM killed all CRKP cells in suspension (10⁶ colony-forming units (CFU)/mL) after 150 min of incubation. Jelleine-I acts on the CRKP cell membrane inducing lysis. Biomass and viability of CRKP-induced biofilms are reduced after treatment with Jelleine-I, and the use of this peptide in T. molitor larvae infected with CRKP reduces lethality and improves overall larval health. In conclusion, Jelleine-I is a potential prototype for the development of new antimicrobial agents. Full article

Varroa destructor, an ectoparasitic mite of honey bees, is a major contributor to global colony declines. To manage infestations, beekeepers frequently apply both synthetic and organic miticides—sometimes in combination. While much attention has been given to foragers’ pesticide exposure, nurse bees are also at risk due to direct miticide contact and prolonged exposure to residuals in hive matrices. Despite this, little is known about the effects of sequential miticide applications on nurse bees. In this study, we evaluated the toxicities of single and pairwise consecutive applications of three synthetic miticides (fluvalinate, coumaphos, and amitraz) and two organic miticides (formic acid and oxalic acid) at field-realistic concentrations. Miticides were topically applied to nurse bees with 24 h between consecutive treatments. Synthetic miticides caused minimal mortality, while both organic miticides—especially formic acid—significantly reduced survivorship. Consecutive treatments generally produced mortality rates comparable to that of the corresponding organic miticide alone, indicating that observed toxicities were primarily driven by the organic agents. Notably, the fluvalinate–formic acid combination induced no significant adverse effects. These findings highlight the need for caution when using miticides in combination and support the development of safer application strategies to protect vulnerable in-hive bee populations.. Full article

Abiotic stressors threaten honeybee health, jeopardizing pollination services critical to agriculture and biodiversity. Here, we identified the AmVgR gene, which encodes a member of the low-density lipoprotein receptor family, and examined its function in the response of Apis mellifera to adverse abiotic stress. AmVgR exhibited peak expression in adult workers and was significantly upregulated under heat, cold, heavy metal, and pesticide exposure. RNAi-mediated knockdown of AmVgR suppressed antioxidant enzyme activities, elevated the levels of oxidative damage markers, and downregulated antioxidant gene expression. Crucially, AmVgR silencing reduced survival under H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress, indicating its essential role in stress resilience. Our findings highlight AmVgR as a key regulator of antioxidant defense during development and environmental adaptation in Apis mellifera. This study provides mechanistic insights into bee stress physiology and proposes AmVgR as a novel target for enhancing pollinator protection strategies. Further research should elucidate its molecular pathways and translational applications in mitigating abiotic stress impacts. Full article