Symbiont-Mediated Detoxification of Xenobiotics in Honey Bees

The active foraging behaviour of honey bees frequently exposes them to various xenobiotics. Honey bees rely primarily on endogenous enzymatic detoxification systems to metabolise these compounds; however, this capacity is constrained by limitations in their genomic detoxification repertoire. The gut microbiota may partially compensate for this deficiency through two complementary mechanisms: directly transforming or sequestering xenobiotics, and modulating host detoxification pathways. We therefore propose that the gut microbiota should be regarded as an extended detoxification organ in honey bees. This perspective also points to a microbial biotechnology agenda for pollinator protection, including precision probiotics, microbiome-informed breeding and engineered symbionts. Viewing detoxification as a holobiont trait provides a more comprehensive framework for understanding bee resilience and for developing microbiome-based interventions under real-world chemical stress.