Search results for "honey bee"

Younger bank voles are more vulnerable to avian predation

2008

The importance of predation on prey populations is mainly determined by the number of eaten prey. However, the total impact of predation might also be determined by the selection of certain prey individuals, e.g., different sexes or age categories. Here we tested selective predation by an avian predator, the pygmy owl ( Glaucidium passerinum (L., 1758)), on bank voles ( Myodes ( Clethrionomys ) glareolus (Schreber, 1780)). We compared the sex, age, and mass of hoarded prey with the animals snap-trapped from the field. There were no differences in the sex ratio between hoarded bank voles and those available in the field. However, hoarded voles were significantly younger than ones in the fie…

Paenibacillus larvae Chitin-Degrading Protein PlCBP49 Is a Key Virulence Factor in American Foulbrood of Honey Bees

2014

Paenibacillus larvae, the etiological agent of the globally occurring epizootic American Foulbrood (AFB) of honey bees, causes intestinal infections in honey bee larvae which develop into systemic infections inevitably leading to larval death. Massive brood mortality might eventually lead to collapse of the entire colony. Molecular mechanisms of host-microbe interactions in this system and of differences in virulence between P. larvae genotypes are poorly understood. Recently, it was demonstrated that the degradation of the peritrophic matrix lining the midgut epithelium is a key step in pathogenesis of P. larvae infections. Here, we present the isolation and identification of PlCBP49, a mo…

Resistance to amitraz in the parasitic honey bee mite Varroa destructor is associated with mutations in the β−adrenergic-like octopamine receptor

2021

AbstractVarroa destructor is considered a major reason for high loss rate of Western honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies. To prevent colony losses caused by V. destructor it is necessary to actively manage the mite population. Beekeepers, particularly commercial beekeepers, have few alternative treatments other than synthetic acaricides to control the parasite, resulting in intensive treatment regimens that led to the evolution of resistance in mite populations.To investigate the mechanism of the resistance to amitraz detected in V. destructor mites from French and U.S. apiaries, we identified and characterized octopamine and tyramine receptors (the known targets of amitraz) in this species…

Defensive Behavior of Honey Bees Toward Ants

1970

Swarming of micron-sized hematite cubes in a rotating magnetic field -- Experiments

2020

Energy input by under-field rotation of particles drives the systems to emergent non-equilibrium states. Here we investigate the suspension of rotating magnetic cubes. Micron-sized hematite cubes are synthesized and observed microscopically. When exposed to a rotating magnetic field, they form rotating swarms that interact with each other like liquid droplets. We describe the swarming behaviour and its limits and characterize swarm size and angular velocity dependence on magnetic field strength and frequency. A quantitative agreement with a theoretical model is found for the angular velocity of swarms as a function of field frequency. It is interesting to note that hematite particles with p…

Determination of pesticide residues in honey bees, pollen and beeswax: assessing pesticide hazard in spanish apiaries

2020

Pollinator decline is an emerging worldwide problem with serious repercussions on agriculture and environment. Around one third of human food relies on insect pollination, and most of the flowering plants need pollinators to survive. Honey bee is the main pollinator in environments where anthropogenic pressure has reduced the number of native pollinators, like urban, rural and agricultural areas. The main cause of beekeeping crisis is parasite Varroa destructor and secondary infections associated with the mite. Pesticide contamination and nutritional deficiencies, combined with the parasite, can act synergistically and reduce survival of bee colonies. Honey bees patrol extensive areas when …

Transfer of Immunity from Mother to Offspring Is Mediated via Egg-Yolk Protein Vitellogenin.

2015

Insect immune systems can recognize specific pathogens and prime offspring immunity. High specificity of immune priming can be achieved when insect females transfer immune elicitors into developing oocytes. The molecular mechanism behind this transfer has been a mystery. Here, we establish that the egg-yolk protein vitellogenin is the carrier of immune elicitors. Using the honey bee, Apis mellifera, model system, we demonstrate with microscopy and western blotting that vitellogenin binds to bacteria, both Paenibacillus larvae – the gram-positive bacterium causing American foulbrood disease – and to Escherichia coli that represents gram-negative bacteria. Next, we verify that vitellogenin bi…

Honey Bee Pollen in Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) Juvenile Diets: Effects on Growth, Diet Digestibility, Intestinal Traits, and Biochemical Markers Rel…

2020

This research aimed to evaluate the effects of the inclusion of honey bee pollen (HBP) in meagre (Argyrosoumus regius) juveniles&rsquo