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Pollen and sterol content differentially affect solitary bee development.

Carlos Martel1, Josef Kreidt2, Jennifer Scott3

  • 1Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Kew Green, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 3AE, United Kingdom; Instituto de Ciencias Ómicas y Biotecnología Aplicada, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, San Miguel, 15088, Lima, Peru.

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Bees can adapt their sterol intake from pollen, contrary to previous beliefs. This study shows Osmia bees can selectively accumulate or transform sterols for better development.

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology and evolutionary biology
  • Insect physiology
  • Nutritional science

Background:

  • Pollen sterols are vital for bee health, acting as membrane components and hormone precursors.
  • Bees were thought to be unable to synthesize or modify sterols, necessitating adaptation to specific pollen sources.
  • Sterol composition varies significantly across plant taxa, impacting bee nutrition.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of varied pollen sterol composition and supplementation on the development of red mason bees (Osmia bicornis).
  • To explore the potential for sterol accumulation or transformation in Osmia bees.
  • To challenge the traditional view of bees' limited sterol handling capabilities.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative study using four distinct pollen diets for Osmia bicornis larvae: bee-collected, Castanea sativa (chestnut) pollen, sterol-supplemented chestnut pollen, and polyfloral pollen.
  • DNA barcoding to identify pollen taxa, revealing a diverse diet primarily composed of Quercus spp.
  • Analysis of larval development metrics (weight, development time) and sterol profiles in both pollen and bee tissues.

Main Results:

  • Pollen diet significantly influenced larval final weight, development time, and overall development rate.
  • Larvae fed sterol-supplemented chestnut pollen exhibited significantly faster development compared to other groups.
  • Sterol profiles within bees were more similar across different pollen treatments than between bees and their respective pollen sources.
  • Bees fed polyfloral pollen showed significantly higher relative concentrations of campesterol and cholesterol than the pollen itself.

Conclusions:

  • Osmia bees demonstrate greater flexibility in sterol metabolism than previously assumed, potentially through selective accumulation or transformation.
  • Dietary sterol composition and supplementation play a crucial role in bee development.
  • Findings suggest bees may possess more sophisticated mechanisms for managing sterol nutrition from diverse pollen sources.