ARS | Publication request: A Scientific Note on the Lactic Acid Bacterial Flora Discovered in the Honey Stomach of Swedish honey bees - a continuing study on honey bees in the U.S.A.

Submitted to: Apidologie
Publication Type: Research Notes
Publication Acceptance Date: November 20, 2008
Publication Date: January 20, 2009
Citation: Olofsson, T., Vasquez, A., Sammataro, D. 2009. A Scientific Note on the Lactic Acid Bacterial Flora Discovered in the Honey Stomach of Swedish honey bees - a continuing study on honey bees in the U.S.A.. Apidologie 40:26-28.

Interpretive Summary: Beneficial bacteria have been found in honey stomachs of the honey bee, Apis mellifera; a unique flora that appears to have coevolved with honey bees. The health of our most important pollinators has come into focus during the last few years, because of yet unexplained conditions and diseases that threaten bees. This novel bacterial flora could potentially be of crucial importance for the well being of honey bees, their pollination potential, and their honey production. The bacteria from bees in Sweden are exactly the same as in bees from Arizona. In addition, a new bacterium was isolated from the Arizona bees. Future work will explore the association of these bacteria to honey bee health and diet.

Technical Abstract: Beneficial bacteria have been found in honey stomachs of the honey bee, Apis mellifera; a unique flora that appears to have coevolved with the honey bees. The health of our most important pollinators has come into focus during the last few years, because of yet unexplained conditions and diseases that threaten bees. This novel bacteria flora could potentially be of crucial importance for the well-being of honey bees, their pollination potential, and their honey production. The bacteria from bees in Sweden are exactly the same as in bees from Arizona. In addition, a new bacterium was isolated from the Arizona bees. Future work will explore the association of these bacteria to honey bee health and diet.