A Bacterial Symbiont Protects Honey Bees from Fungal Disease
Delaney L. Miller, Eric A. Smith, Irene L. G. Newton
Abstract
Fungi can play critical roles in host microbiomes (5-7), yet bacterial-fungal interactions are understudied. For insects, fungi are the leading cause of disease (5, 8). In particular, populations of the European honey bee (Apis mellifera), an agriculturally and economically critical species, have declined in part due to fungal pathogens. The presence and prevalence of fungal pathogens in honey bees have far-reaching consequences, endangering other species and threatening food security (1, 2, 9). Our research highlights how a bacterial symbiont protects bee brood from fungal infection. Further mechanistic work could lead to the development of new antifungal treatments.
Topics & Concepts
BiologyHoney beeAspergillus flavusBroodMicrobiologyBeauveria bassianaPollinatorBotanyBiological pest controlPollenPollinationInsect and Pesticide ResearchInsect and Arachnid Ecology and BehaviorPlant and animal studies