Perception, regulation, and effects on longevity of pollen fatty acids in the honey bee, Apis mellifera.

ABSTRACT: For successful cross-pollination, most flowering plants rely on insects as pollinators and attract them by offering rewards, predominantly nectar and pollen. Bees-a highly important pollinator group-are especially dependent on pollen as their main source of essential nutrients, including proteins, lipids, and sterols. Fatty acids (FAs) in particular play a pivotal role as fundamental energy source, contributing to membrane structure integrity, cellular homeostasis, and cognitive processes. However, overconsumption of FAs can have detrimental effects on fitness and survival. Thus, bees need to precisely modulate FA intake. To better understand how Apis mellifera, the globally predominant managed pollinator, regulate FA intake, we conducted controlled feeding experiments with newly hatched h

SUBMITTER: Schleifer MC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11581215 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature