The honey bee gut microbiome is fast becoming a focus in terms of honey bee health. A general description of this important area can be found here: At Apimonida 46, the following abstracts were were presented, providing further insight into study on this significant arena.

Over 30 viruses have been discovered from honey bees but few studies exist on the pathogenicity and direct impact of viruses on the queen’s phenotype.

The European honey bee is the most important managed species for agricultural pollination across the world

Did honey make the human brain larger, and later smaller and smarter — Homo sapiens?

Honey and Nigella sativa (HNS) have established antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.

 The test is based on the OECD TG 213- Acute Oral Toxicity Test (1998) (1), (2). The test was validated by a German ring test group in 2013, by a 1st international ring test in 2014 and a 2nd international ring test in 2015

Beekeepers regularly employ management practices to mitigate losses during the winter, often considered the most difficult time during a colony life cycle.

Hygienic and non-hygienic colonies from ’Starline’ stock of Apis mellifera were tested for their ability to remove pupae infested with Varroa mites. The hygienic and non-hygienic lines were selected and bred on the basis of their removal response to freeze-killed brood.

Host-parasite co-evolution history is lacking when parasites switch to novel hosts. This was the case for Western honey bees (Apis mellifera) when the ectoparasitic mite, Varroa destructor, switched hosts from Eastern honey bees (Apis cerana).

The negative effects on adult behavior of juvenile undernourishment are well  in vertebrates, but relatively poorly understood in invertebrates.