Pitek Andrew P, Daisley Brendan A, Chmiel John A, Chernyshova Anna M, Dhami Gurpreet, Reid Gregor, Thompson Graham J
Department of Biology, The University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada.
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.
Microbiol Spectr. 2025 Jul;13(7):e0249824. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.02498-24. Epub 2025 May 22.
Beneficial bacteria can improve the health of managed honey bees () via immune system support as well as direct inhibition of pathogens. However, our understanding of how environmental factors and delivery methods impact treatment outcomes is limited. Here, we evaluated how supplementation of a three-strain lactobacilli consortium ( Lp39, BR-1, and ; LX3) affects ectoparasitic mite () and bacterial () load. We measured this effect following delivery of LX3 in either edible (protein patty) or topical (spray) forms and did so across three distinct habitats (forage-rich, agricultural, and urban). Results demonstrate significant control of mite infestation levels following patty delivery, relative to untreated patty controls. Spray methods, by contrast, were ineffective. Specifically, a control group that received only an uninoculated patty carried more mites than any other group, suggesting excess protein within hives is a catalyst for mite proliferation. This effect, whereby the excess-protein group had the highest parasite load, was pronounced in the most natural (forage-rich) environment type, indicating a significant site-by-treatment interaction. No influence of LX3 on loads was observed in the asymptomatic colonies studied, which is likely attributable to the already low levels of pathogenic spores present and challenges associated with detection limits. In summary, this multi-site field study suggests that an LX3-infusion of standard protein patties is an effective method to control infestations in commercial honey bee colonies.IMPORTANCECommercial beekeeping operations typically have a narrow profit range that depends on maintaining healthy hives throughout the season. Unfortunately, parasitic mites and bacterial pathogens can contribute to colony losses. The plight of honey bees can in turn affect the price and availability of produce on the agri-food market. There is therefore a need for innovation in the beekeeping industry to help secure bee livestock from season to season. One relatively new approach to sustainable beekeeping is the use of beneficial bacterial supplements that beekeepers can feed to or otherwise apply to hives in aid of the bee's natural health and abilities as mediated through their gut-brain axis. Our multi-site field study applies this approach. We find that a pollen protein patty is an effective vehicle for delivering probiotic bacteria to commercial honey bee colonies and for helping to keep destructor infestation levels in check.
有益细菌可通过支持免疫系统以及直接抑制病原体来改善养殖蜜蜂的健康状况。然而,我们对环境因素和给药方式如何影响治疗效果的了解有限。在此,我们评估了补充三菌株乳酸杆菌联合体(Lp39、BR - 1和;LX3)如何影响体外寄生螨()和细菌()负荷。我们在以可食用(蛋白饼)或局部(喷雾)形式递送LX3后测量了这种效果,并在三个不同的栖息地(富含草料的、农业的和城市的)进行了此操作。结果表明,相对于未处理的蛋白饼对照组,通过蛋白饼给药后螨侵扰水平得到了显著控制。相比之下,喷雾方法无效。具体而言,仅接受未接种蛋白饼的对照组携带的螨虫比其他任何组都多,这表明蜂箱内过量的蛋白质是螨虫增殖的催化剂。在最自然(富含草料)的环境类型中,过量蛋白质组寄生虫负荷最高的这种效应最为明显,表明存在显著的地点 - 处理交互作用。在所研究的无症状蜂群中未观察到LX3对负荷的影响,这可能归因于已存在的致病孢子水平较低以及与检测限相关的挑战。总之,这项多地点实地研究表明,在标准蛋白饼中注入LX3是控制商业蜂群中侵扰的有效方法。重要性商业养蜂业务的利润范围通常较窄,这取决于整个季节维持蜂群的健康。不幸的是,寄生螨和细菌病原体可能导致蜂群损失。蜜蜂的困境反过来又会影响农业食品市场上农产品的价格和供应。因此,养蜂行业需要创新,以帮助确保蜜蜂种群一季又一季的安全。可持续养蜂的一种相对较新的方法是使用有益细菌补充剂,养蜂人可以将其喂给蜂群或以其他方式应用于蜂箱,以帮助蜜蜂通过其肠 - 脑轴介导的自然健康和能力。我们的多地点实地研究采用了这种方法。我们发现花粉蛋白饼是将益生菌递送至商业蜂群并帮助控制破坏者侵扰水平的有效载体。
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