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Ethanol Hormesis in Honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) Infected with Vairimorpha (Nosema) spp
1Department of Zoology and Animal Welfare, Faculty of Animal Science, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Al. Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow, Poland.
Abstract:
This study investigates the phenomenon of ethanol hormesis in honeybees (Apis mellifera) infected with Vairimorpha (Nosema) spp., a widespread parasite that significantly impacts bee health and colony survival. Hormesis refers to a biphasic response where low doses of potentially harmful substances may elicit beneficial effects, contrasting with the detrimental impacts observed at higher concentrations. We hypothesized that low ethanol concentrations could reduce Vairimorpha spp. infection severity and improve bee lifespan. In a controlled experiment, foraging bees were divided into groups of infected and uninfected individuals, and each group (N = 50) was exposed to varying ethanol concentrations (0%, 0.0313%, 0.625%, 1.25%, 2.5%, 5%, and 10%). The results indicated that infected bees exposed to 0.625% and 1.25% ethanol exhibited the longest lifespans and the lowest Vairimorpha (Nosema) spp. spore counts, supporting the hormetic model. In contrast, higher ethanol concentrations (2.5% and above) significantly increased mortality and spore load, reaffirming the toxic effects associated with excessive ethanol intake. This study highlights the complex interactions between ethanol exposure and parasitic infection in honeybees, suggesting that ethanol at 0.625% and 1.25% may mitigate some of the harmful effects of Vairimorpha (Nosema) spp. infections. The findings have implications for understanding how ethanol, present in floral nectar, impacts honeybee health and could inform management strategies for controlling Vairimorpha (Nosema) spp. infections in bee populations.
Insights
Low ethanol doses may benefit honeybees infected with Vairimorpha (Nosema) spp., improving lifespan and reducing parasite load. Higher concentrations, however, proved toxic, increasing mortality and infection severity in bees.
Area of Science:
- * Entomology
- * Animal Toxicology
- * Parasitology
Background:
- * Honeybee (Apis mellifera) populations face significant threats from parasites like Vairimorpha (Nosema) spp.
- * Ethanol hormesis, a biphasic dose-response, suggests low substance levels can be beneficial while high levels are harmful.
- * Understanding ethanol's impact on bee health is crucial, especially as it occurs naturally in floral nectar.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To investigate the hormetic effects of ethanol on honeybees infected with Vairimorpha (Nosema) spp.
- * To determine if low ethanol concentrations can mitigate parasite infection and improve bee survival.
- * To assess the dose-dependent toxicity of ethanol in infected and uninfected honeybees.
Main Methods:
- * Controlled experiment exposing foraging honeybees (N=50 per group) to varying ethanol concentrations (0% to 10%).
- * Groups included both infected and uninfected bees to compare responses.
- * Measured honeybee lifespan and Vairimorpha (Nosema) spp. spore counts.
Main Results:
- * Infected bees exposed to 0.625% and 1.25% ethanol showed increased lifespan and reduced Vairimorpha (Nosema) spp. spore counts.
- * Higher ethanol concentrations (≥2.5%) significantly increased bee mortality and parasite spore loads.
- * Results support the hormesis model, demonstrating a biphasic dose-response to ethanol in infected honeybees.
Conclusions:
- * Specific low concentrations of ethanol (0.625% and 1.25%) may offer a protective effect against Vairimorpha (Nosema) spp. infection in honeybees.
- * Ethanol exhibits toxicity at higher concentrations, exacerbating negative impacts of parasitic infections.
- * Findings contribute to understanding ethanol's role in bee health and inform potential management strategies for Nosema control.
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