A longitudinal study of queen health in honey bees reveals tissue specific response to seasonal changes and pathogen pressure.

ABSTRACT: The health of honey bee queens is crucial for colony success, particularly during stressful periods like overwintering. To accompany a previous longitudinal study of colony and worker health, we explored niche-specific gut microbiota, host gene expression, and pathogen prevalence in honey bee queens overwintering in a warm southern climate. We found differential gene expression and bacterial abundance with respect to various pathogens throughout the season. Biologically older queens had larger microbiotas, particularly enriched in Bombella and Bifidobacterium. Both Deformed Wing Virus A and B subtypes were highest in the fat body tissue in January, correlating with colony Varroa levels, and Deformed Wing Virus titers in workers. High viral titers in queens were associated with decreased vi

SUBMITTER: Copeland DC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11026438 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature