Honey Bee Social Immunity - Inmunidad Social por la Miel de Abeja (Castellano)
Moderador
Sr. D. Sergio Gil Lebrero
Veterinario. Departamento Zoología. Universidad de Córdoba.
Biografía
Licenciado en Veterinaria por la Universidad de Córdoba, dónde también realiz...Leer biografía completa
Ponente
Sra. Dña. Marla Spivak
Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota. St Paul, Minnesota, USA.
Biografía
La doctora Marla Spivak es una entomóloga de gran reputación, adscrita al Depa...Leer biografía completa
Hygienic behavior and propolis collection are two forms of social immunity displayed by honey bees, Apis mellifera. Hygienic behavior is a well-known defense against the pathogens causing American foulbrood and chalkbrood.
More current studies are focused on the role of hygienic behavior in helping bees resist Varroa destructor. The collection of antimicrobial plant resins and their deposition in the nest cavity as propolis is another form of honey bee social immunity. When colonies of A. mellifera nest in tree cavities, they line the nest interior with a propolis envelope, which serves many purposes, including waterproofing and preventing fungal decay of the hive walls. Colonies in standard beekeeping equipment made of smooth wood do not construct a propolis envelope. Our research shows that honey bees exploit the antimicrobial properties of resins to supplement individual immune function, fight off microorganisms and pathogens, and promote the proliferation of beneficial microbiome communities.
Trials in a commercial beekeeping operation using specially constructed rough-interior boxes that stimulated the bees to make a propolis envelope resulted in large colony population and did not affect honey production. In general, it would benefit the health of honey bee colonies to select for both forms of social immunity: hygienic behavior and propolis collection.