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10-Minute Presentation

Systematics, Evolution, and Biodiversity

10-min: SysEB, Honey Bees and Native Pollinators

Gut microbiome safeguarding honey bees against fungal pathogens

Tuesday, November 12, 2024
10:36 AM – 10:48 AM MST
Location: Phoenix Convention Center, 131 C, PCC
Oral Presentation
The gut microbiota of honey bees plays a significant role in various physiological processes. Recent studies have revealed that certain bacterial strains possess antifungal properties that can combat honey bee and bumble bee pathogens. This study focuses on assessing the antifungal capabilities of four core bacteria found in the honey bee gut microbiome against key fungal pathogens: Ascosphaera apis, which causes chalkbrood disease, and the generalist entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana. Co-culturing bioassays show direct inhibition of the fungal pathogens, with an expected species specificity. Higher inhibition of a bee fungal specialist was observed compared to other fungal pathogens, indicating strong coevolutionary forces between the host-microbiome and the fungal pathogen. We also show antifungal properties of bacterial secondary metabolites.