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Gut microbiota structure differs between honeybees in winter and summer.

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Winter honeybees have significantly higher gut bacteria loads and lower microbial diversity compared to summer bees. Diet influences these bacterial differences, impacting winter bee health and colony survival.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Entomology
  • Animal Science

Background:

  • Honeybees possess a specialized gut microbiota.
  • Previous research focused on seasonal compositional changes, not absolute bacterial loads.
  • The gut microbiota of long-lived winter bees remains understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify bacterial loads and characterize gut microbiota in honeybees across seasons and life stages.
  • To investigate the differences between forager, nurse, and winter bee gut microbiomes.
  • To determine the role of diet in shaping honeybee gut bacterial communities.

Main Methods:

  • Quantification of seven core gut bacteria in a single colony over two years.
  • Community composition analysis in 14 colonies during summer and winter.
  • Gnotobiotic bee experiments to assess dietary impacts.

Main Results:

  • Total bacterial loads varied significantly between foragers, nurses, and winter bees.
  • Winter bees exhibited the highest bacterial loads and lowest alpha-diversity.
  • A distinct microbial profile in winter bees showed increased Bartonella and Commensalibacter, with reduced opportunistic bacteria.
  • Diet was identified as a key factor influencing bacterial loads.

Conclusions:

  • The gut microbiota of winter honeybees differs substantially from foragers and nurses.
  • Winter bee gut bacterial loads and composition are influenced by diet.
  • Understanding the winter bee gut microbiome is crucial for colony survival and health.