Breakthrough Research Unveils a Potential Shield Against Multiple Bee Viruses

Véto-Pharma
11 October 2023
At the apiary
2 minutes of reading

As honey bee colonies confront escalating challenges, complicating the task of apiary management, a conglomerate of scientists from the University of Florida, the Agricultural Research Service-USDA, Louisiana State University, and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has illuminated a ray of hope by repurposing a drug to safeguard these crucial pollinators against various viruses.

The spotlight falls on a compound named pinacidil, which has exhibited efficacy in inducing the production of free radicals within honey bee cells. The uniqueness of this approach lies in its non-specificity towards viruses, offering a protective shield against numerous types, including the Israeli acute paralysis virus, Deformed Wing Viruses A and B, black queen cell virus, and Lake Sinai viruses 1 and 2.

Administered through sugar water drizzled over honey combs, the drug propels through the colony as bees, both adult and young, consume and share the fortified sustenance. Preliminary field studies have revealed encouraging results, demonstrating an enhancement in bee survival rates, even in colonies teeming with 80,000 bees, which are routinely exposed to an array of viruses and stressors.

While varroa mites stand out as the principal culprits behind honey bee losses, their role in transmitting viruses cannot be understated. Therefore, mitigating the virus threat could represent a substantial stride towards strengthening bee populations. In fact, the introduction of pinacidil has also been observed to uplift survival rates in bee colonies plagued by varroa mites.

Despite the promising outcomes, the application of this drug on a commercial scale poses a financial challenge due to its cost. Nonetheless, the underlying revelation that potassium ion channels can be targeted to bolster the immune system in honey bees lays a foundational stone for future research. The scientists are optimistic about uncovering alternative molecules or technologies that mirror the effects of pinacidil but are economically viable for beekeepers on a wider scale.

This article was originally published on Sustainability Times and subsequently featured on the Bee Culture website.