Low Levels of Hive Stress Are Associated with Decreased Honey Activity and Changes to the Gut Microbiome of Resident Honey Bees
Kenya E. Fernandes, Bridie Stanfield, Elizabeth A. M. Frost, Erin R. Shanahan, Daniel Susantio, Andrew Z. Dong, Trong D. Tran, Nural N. Cokcetin, Dee Carter
Abstract
Honey bees serve as pollinators for many plants and crops worldwide and produce valuable hive products such as honey and wax. Various sources of stress can disrupt honey bee colonies, affecting their health and productivity. Growing evidence suggests that honey is vitally important to hive functioning and overall health. In this study, we determined the antimicrobial activity and chemical properties of honey from healthy hives and hives showing signs of stress, finding that honey from healthy hives was significantly more antimicrobial, with increased phenolics and antioxidant content. We next profiled the bacterial and fungal microbiome of the bee gut and the hive environment, finding significant differences between healthy and stressed hives. Our results underscore the need for greater understanding in this area, as we found even apparently minor stress can have implications for overall hive fitness as well as the economic potential of hive products.