Assessing pollen nutrient content: a unifying approach for the study of bee nutritional ecology

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 377(1853)

Опубликована: Май 2, 2022

Poor nutrition and landscape changes are regularly cited as key factors causing the decline of wild managed bee populations. However, what constitutes ‘poor nutrition’ for bees currently is inadequately defined. Bees collect eat pollen: it their only solid food source provides a broad suite required macro- micronutrients. also generalist foragers thus different pollen types they can be highly nutritionally variable. Therefore, characterizing multidimensional nutrient content needed to fully understand nutritional resource. Unfortunately, use analytical approaches assess has complicated between-studies comparisons blurred our understanding content. In current study, we start by reviewing common methods used estimate protein lipids found in pollen. Next, using monofloral Brassica Rosa pollen, experimentally reveal biases results these methods. Finally, collective data propose unifying approach analysing This will help researchers better study ecology—including foraging behaviour, regulation health—of other feeders. article part theme issue ‘Natural processes influencing pollinator health: from chemistry landscapes’.

Язык: Английский

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The role of non-volatile chemicals of floral rewards in plant-pollinator interactions

Basic and Applied Ecology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 75, С. 31 - 43

Опубликована: Янв. 26, 2024

The interaction between plants and pollinators has intrigued scientists for centuries. While it continues to be subject of ongoing research in basic applied ecology, we tend ignore that plant-pollinator interactions are largely driven by chemistry. For example, the amounts composition various chemical compounds determine flower colour, attractiveness scent nutritional value floral rewards. In this perspective article, focus on chemistry pollen nectar. We discuss differences function, diversity variation compound groups considered macro- micronutrients as well non-nutritive plant secondary metabolites (PSM). highlight effects pollinator responses different vary strongly among species (groups of) compounds. Moreover, challenge commonly separation toxic (e.g. several PSMs) beneficial most nutrients) point a dose-dependent toxicity across finally provide list open questions future research. draw particular attention unknown plant-produced externally pesticides, pollutants) may have mutualism.

Язык: Английский

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Changes in the Activities of Antioxidant Enzymes in the Fat Body and Hemolymph of Apis mellifera L. Due to Pollen Monodiets

Antioxidants, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 14(1), С. 69 - 69

Опубликована: Янв. 9, 2025

The increasing prevalence of monocultures has reduced floral diversity, diminishing pollen diet variety for bees. This study examines the impact monofloral diets (hazel, rapeseed, pine, buckwheat, Phacelia, goldenrod) on antioxidant enzyme activities in fat body from tergite 3, 5, sternite, and hemolymph honey We show that plants such as goldenrod (rich phenolic compounds flavonoids) increases SOD, CAT, GST, GPx compared to control group. Although it is commonly known a monodiet one stress factors bees, increase these enzymes workers fed with candy those only sugar positive (although inconclusive) effect. These bees anemophilous are usually lower containing 10% or goldenrod. Further research needed fully understand complex interactions among diets, activities, overall physiology

Язык: Английский

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Application of ionomics and ecological stoichiometry in conservation biology: Nutrient demand and supply in a changing environment

Biological Conservation, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 272, С. 109622 - 109622

Опубликована: Июнь 10, 2022

The application of ionomics and ecological stoichiometry benefits conservation biology with necessary evolutionary relevance, allowing unresolved problems to be addressed. use enables consideration that changes in the environmental nutritional supply affect ecophysiology, behavior, health fitness individuals, influencing their interactions population functioning. resulting knowledge can help promote better restoration strategies. Ultimately, facilitate improved forecasting mitigation negative effects current global change. Here, we present theoretical background followed by biological conservation. We also propose avenues for future research. For example, larval adult pollinating insects belong different feeding guilds, larvae rely on various stoichiometrically (im)balanced foods (showing herbivory, pollinivory, detritivory or even carnivory). Therefore, ecology diversity pollinators may shaped quality food, which is required physiological development into fully functional adults. Although a stoichiometric balance during crucial pollinator fitness, focused needs Another example atmospheric CO2 increases leading nutrient dilution plant tissues, aggravating imbalances consumers challenging Earth's herbivore populations. CO2-driven food webs, ecosystems human wellbeing. However, our understanding this phenomenon minimal. These other studied solved using stoichiometry.

Язык: Английский

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Trace metals with heavy consequences on bees: A comprehensive review

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 895, С. 165084 - 165084

Опубликована: Июнь 26, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Plants other than animal-pollinated herbs provide wild bees with vital nutrients

Global Ecology and Conservation, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 52, С. e02984 - e02984

Опубликована: Май 10, 2024

Adult pollinators that forage primarily for energy have traditionally guided our understanding of plant–pollinator interactions, leading to assumptions about the importance different plants pollinators. Consequently, pollinator conservation strategies potentially overlook balance juvenile diets. I studied a representative bee, Osmia bicornis, explore contributions various nutritional quality diet. Using ecological stoichiometry and micronutrient ecology, investigated proportions vital body-building chemical elements (C, N, P, S, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Mn Cu; henceforth "nutrients") in larval pollen loads. considered botanical origin, location sexual dimorphism niche as factors influencing nutrient Redundancy analysis indicated main factor determining proportion was which accounted 70.17% variation; contributed 20.21%, sex 8.43%. Among 30 taxa composing loads, determinants content were oak, maple, chestnut, cabbage family, buttercup, grasses. Trees wind-pollinated provided important nutrients. Oak maple contributors nutrients essential growth body development (N, Cu, Zn). Grasses buttercups is bees. Complex habitat management schemes extending beyond traditional seed mixes are conservation, non-obvious plant species provide should be included efforts create complex landscape enabling balanced

Язык: Английский

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The Key Role of Amino Acids in Pollen Quality and Honey Bee Physiology—A Review

Molecules, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 29(11), С. 2605 - 2605

Опубликована: Июнь 1, 2024

When studying honey bee nutrition, it is important to pay attention not only the quantity but also quality of pollen for floral visitors. The recommended way determine value both protein concentration and amino acid composition in insect’s hemolymph. In addition, includes lipids, sterols biogenic elements such as carbon, nitrogen, etc. Very high observed aloe pollen, averaging 51%. Plants with a content, at level 27% Europe, are rapeseed phacelia. turn, plant that poor (at 11%) buckwheat. aforementioned plants sown over very large areas. Vast acreages Central Eastern Europe occupied by pollen- nectar-providing invasive plants, goldenrod. Therefore, bees forced use one food source—a mono diet—which results their malnutrition. absence natural beekeepers other foods bees; including soy protein, powdered milk, egg yolks, fish meal, However, colony strongest when fed opposed artificial diets. More research needed on relationship between measured apian hemolymph, strength, yield good overwintering.

Язык: Английский

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Extreme heat exposure of host plants indirectly reduces solitary bee fecundity and survival

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 291(2025)

Опубликована: Июнь 1, 2024

Extreme heat poses a major threat to plants and pollinators, yet the indirect consequences of stress are not well understood, particularly for native solitary bees. To determine how brief exposure extreme flowering affects bee behaviour, fecundity, development survival we conducted no-choice field cage experiment in which Osmia lignaria were provided blueberry ( Vaccinium corymbosum ), phacelia Phacelia tanacetifolia ) white clover Trifolium repens that had been previously exposed either (37.5°C) or normal temperatures (25°C) 4 h during early bloom. Despite similar number open flowers floral visitation frequency between two treatments, female bees with heat-stressed laid approximately 70% fewer eggs than females non-stressed plants. Their progeny received quantities pollen provisions larvae consuming from significantly lower as adults. We also observed trends delayed emergence reduced adult longevity when consumed pollen. This study is first document short, field-realistic bursts host can indirectly affect pollinators their offspring, important implications crop pollination populations.

Язык: Английский

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Favourite plants of wild bees

Agriculture Ecosystems & Environment, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 342, С. 108266 - 108266

Опубликована: Ноя. 11, 2022

Flower strips are a commonly used tool for improving agricultural landscapes pollinators. The plant composition of the seed mixtures employed is based on logistic decisions, e.g. costs or availability, literature and expert opinion, only rarely direct information about bee-plant interactions. We combined two datasets interactions involving 460 bee species. first consisted 23,864 interactions, recorded in twenty locations Germany from 2018 2019, whereas second 86,509 sampled across multiple sites southwest over more than 30 years. explored three objectives. (1) Which species attract greatest number wild individuals communities within seasons activity? (2) Do most attractive also support threatened specialized bees? (3) contain species? High attractiveness was defined as consistently high interaction frequency visiting to communities. Our results identified 34 herbaceous key that were highly bees independently abundance locations. Further, we large which depended community. attracted between 2% 32% oligolectic red-listed present our datasets. Although some these species, such Centaurea cyanus C. jacea , found mixtures, others, Stachys recta Carduus nutans not. These large-scale robust data highlight provide an core floral aimed at supporting numbers • Key plants Attractive agri-environmental schemes. Comprehensive dataset with 100,000 bee-flower Recommendations (flower specialist) red-list

Язык: Английский

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Uncovering the significance of the ratio of food K:Na in bee ecology and evolution

Ecology, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 104(8)

Опубликована: Май 26, 2023

Abstract Bees provide important ecological services, and many species are threatened globally, yet our knowledge of wild bee ecology evolution is limited. While evolving from carnivorous ancestors, bees had to develop strategies for coping with limitations imposed on them by a plant‐based diet, nectar providing energy essential amino acids pollen as an extraordinary, protein‐ lipid‐rich food nutritionally similar animal tissues. Both display one characteristic common plants, high ratio potassium sodium (K:Na), potentially leading underdevelopment, health problems, death. We discuss why how the K:Na contributes considering this factor in future studies will new knowledge, more accurately depicting relationship their environments. Such understanding plants function interact needed effectively protect bees.

Язык: Английский

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