Science updates: Differences between summer and winter bees

 

Science updates:

Differences between summer and winter bees

 

The study investigates the metabolic variations between summer and winter bees of the European honey bee, Apis mellifera. The research aims to identify metabolic fingerprints that distinguish these two populations, which have different lifespans and roles within the colony. Using proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy, the authors analyzed metabolites in bees of the same age collected in summer and late summer/early autumn, representing short-living summer bees and long-living winter bees, respectively.

 

The study identified 28 significantly changed metabolites between the two groups. Notably, trehalose concentration was 1.9 times higher in winter bees, while most amino acids, except for proline and alanine, showed decreased levels. An unknown compound with a CH3 singlet at 2.83 ppm was found to be a potential biomarker, being about 13 times higher in summer bees. The results suggest that the metabolites detected can effectively differentiate between summer and winter bees.

 

The findings provide insights into the metabolic adaptations that honey bees undergo in preparation for winter. The increased trehalose levels in winter bees may be linked to enhanced cold stress tolerance, while the decrease in amino acids could be related to the longevity mechanism of winter bees. The study also found significant changes in choline-containing compounds, nucleosides, nucleotides, and nucleobases, which may be associated with the synthesis of vitellogenin, a protein known to influence aging and lifespan in honey bees.

 

The research highlights the importance of understanding the metabolic changes that occur in honey bees as they transition from summer to winter. This knowledge could support future studies on honey bee longevity and overwintering management, potentially aiding in the development of strategies to improve the survival of honey bee colonies during this critical period.

 

Reference:

Lee, S., Kalcic, F., Duarte, I. F., Titera, D., Kamler, M., Mrna, P., ... & Havlik, J. (2022). 1H NMR profiling of honey bee bodies revealed metabolic differences between summer and winter bees. Insects, 13(2), 193.

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