The gut microbiome differs between hygiene-performing and non-hygiene-performing worker honey bees
Y H Tola1, K Wagoner2, M K Strand3
1Department of Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7617 USA.
Insectes Sociaux
|November 13, 2025
Summary
Honey bee gut microbiomes are linked to hygienic behavior. Hygiene performer bees showed distinct gut bacteria, including higher levels of Apilactobacillus kunkeei and Apibacter mensalis.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Animal Behavior
- Insect Science
Background:
- Gut microbiomes influence host health and behavior in many species.
- Hygienic behavior in honey bees (Apis mellifera) is crucial for colony disease mitigation.
- The link between honey bee gut microbiota and hygienic behavior remains unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between gut microbiota composition and hygienic behavior in worker honey bees.
- To compare the gut bacterial communities of honey bees exhibiting hygienic behavior versus those that do not.
Main Methods:
- 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing was employed to analyze gut microbiota.
- Honey bees were categorized into hygiene performers and non-hygiene performers.
- Bacterial abundance and diversity were compared between the two groups.
Main Results:
- Predominant bacterial phyla identified were Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteria.
- Hygiene performer bees exhibited higher abundance of Apilactobacillus kunkeei, Bartonella apis, and Frischella perrara.
- Increased amplicon sequence variant diversity was observed in hygiene performers, with Apibacter mensalis exclusively present.
Conclusions:
- A significant association exists between gut microbiota composition and hygienic behavior in honey bees.
- Findings suggest potential for developing probiotics to enhance honey bee health and disease resistance.
- Further research can explore specific microbial roles in regulating bee behavior.
