A groundbreaking study has unveiled a new method to enhance honey bee immune systems, safeguarding them against deadly viruses. The study was by US researchers from the University of Florida, Louisiana State University, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Published in the Virology Journal, the study introduces a treatment using pinacidil, which stimulates bees' antiviral responses by generating slightly higher levels of free radicals.
Contrary to their negative reputation, these radicals act as therapeutic agents, prompting the immune system to intensify its defense against viruses.
The researchers administered pinacidil mixed with sugar water, allowing the bees to consume it and feed it to their young. To ensure maximum effectiveness, the solution was applied to honeycombs at night when bees are more likely to ingest it.
By modifying the bees' potassium ion channels, the treatment induced the production of free radicals. Consequently, the bees exhibited remarkable resistance to six potentially lethal viruses, including Israeli acute paralysis virus, deformed wing viruses A and B, black queen cell virus, and Lake Sinai viruses 1 and 2.
Notably, even in colonies afflicted by Varroa mite infestations, which contribute to virus transmission, the survival rate of bees that received the treatment significantly increased.
Daniel Swale, senior author of the study, expressed enthusiasm about the treatment's efficacy both in laboratory settings and in real-world colonies of up to 80,000 bees. Controlling viruses in such a complex hive environment is a significant breakthrough for beekeepers and the agricultural industry.
This research offers hope for protecting honey bees, whose crucial role in pollinating crops makes them vital for food production. By combatting viral infections, this innovative treatment could help reverse the declining honey bee population.
It represents a remarkable advancement in bee health management and highlights the importance of safeguarding these essential pollinators.