Posted in Disease Nosema

Evaluating Efficacy of Fumagilin-B® Against Nosemosis

Researchers from Nova Scotia, Canada, report on Fumagilin-B® suppression of N. ceranae.

different bacterial families in bee gut in winter
Posted in Bee Headlines in the News Foulbrood Microbiome

October News Digest

Scientific journals digest for what’s new in honeybee biology: what happens with honey bee gut during overwintering in Canada; understanding Foul Brood Disease and “crud brood”; and appreciating diversity in scientific community.

Posted in Bee Headlines in the News Disease Microbiome Nosema Pesticides

Solution to Pesticide Problem: Lactic Acid Bacteria.

New study “A Pediococcus strain to rescue honeybees by decreasing Nosema ceranae- and pesticide-induced adverse effects” by Peghaire et al. found that feeding live Pediococcus bacteria can rescue honeybees from N. ceranae– and pesticide adverse effects. Mortality was down from 41% to 15% and Nosema spores per bee decreased by 80%. Gene expression analysis indicates that the bacteria can achieve this benefit by stimulating the honeybee immune and detoxication systems.

Posted in Bee Headlines in the News Foulbrood Microbiome Nutrition

July News Digest

As always, I wish all the readers the best health! Inevitably, summer weather and busy time in the bee yard…

Posted in Bee Headlines in the News Nutrition

June News Digest

New studies on honey bee health, nutrition, and microbiome, from the USDA-ARS Honey Bee Lab in Baton Rouge, LA.

Benefits of Probiotics Infographic
Posted in Microbiome Nosema

Probiotics Nosema field trial

Soon after eclosion, adult honeybees are inoculated with core gut microbiome species, including those belonging to genera Bacillus and Lactobacillus….

veterinary medicine medical symbol
Posted in Bee Headlines in the News

FDA convicts VFD violators

FDA started to restrict veterinary use of medically important antibiotics several years ago. A veterinary feed directive is a written…

Posted in Nutrition

Salt, Fat, Acid, Bees.

Samin Nosrat’s book “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat” makes me think about the basic elements of honeybee nutrition. What do we feed the bees to set them up for success?

Posted in Bee Headlines in the News Disease Foulbrood

MICROBIAL “WAR” AGAINST AMERICAN FOULBROOD

One of the most creative applications for probiotic study was American Foulbrood (AFB). In my latest article, I discuss two studies that tried to overcome AFB with probiotics and arrived at different conclusions. Comparing the two gives the reader a chance to compare scope of scientific inquiry and different methods of probiotic use.