From the Lab to the Field: Translating Applications of Near-Infrared Light from Laboratory to the Field to Improve Honeybee Mitochondrial Function and Hive Health.

Bee populations are under threat from diverse sources from climate change to insecticide use. These culminate in physiological stress undermining mitochondrial function. In laboratory environments, mitochondrial stress can be ameliorated by long wavelength light that protects insects individually against stress. In this study, we ask if these results can be translated to large insect communities and complex environments in the form of field honeybee hives. We embed 670 nm light devices into honeybee hives in the field, and in sampled populations measure mitochondrial function, resistance to insecticide exposure, and the maintenance of hive temperatures in challenging summer conditions. We show that 670 nm light increases the mitochondrial function and protects bees when they are exposed to imidacloprid in the winter supplementary feed. Hives with 670 nm lights maintained stable temperatures compared with controls in adverse weather conditions. This proof-of-principal study opens the door to widespread use of long wavelength light to protect honeybee hives from the increasing threats undermining their physiology that can cause colony collapse.