Research in the wake of Colony Collapse Disorder, a
mysterious malady afflicting (primarily commercial) honey bees, suggests that
pests, pathogens and pesticides all play a role. New research indicates that
the honey bee diet influences the bees’ ability to withstand at least some of
these assaults. Some components of the nectar and pollen grains bees collect to
manufacture food to support the hive increase the expression of detoxification
genes that help keep honey bees healthy.
The findings appear in the Proceedings of the National
Academy of Sciences.