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<p>Agricultural intensification and land-use changes have led to an increase in monocultures, reducing the diversity of polliniferous resources. Honey bees (<i>Apis mellifera</i>) are particularly sensitive to this reduction, which has been associated with large-scale colony losses worldwide. Reduced pollen diversity impairs nutrient intake and leads to nutritional stress. <i>Eucalyptus grandis</i> monocultures offer a suitable context to study this problem, as their pollen is nutritionally poor, with low protein and lipid content, and a deficiency in essential amino acids. In these environments, colonies suffer nutritional stress, become infected with the microsporidium <i>Nosema ceranae</i>, and weaken, which may lead to colony loss. In this study, we evaluated strategies to mitigate the impact of nutritional stress. Five groups of colonies were placed in an <i>E. grandis</i> plantation and received different protein supplements: Apiprot, Feedbee, and a novel nutritional formulation (UFP). Two control groups were included: one without supplementation and the other supplemented with polyfloral pollen patties. Besides that, all colonies had access to the environmental pollen (mainly <i>E. grandis</i> pollen). Protein supplementation increased brood and adult populations, as well as honey production, compared to negative controls. Interestingly, RNA viral levels were higher in supplemented colonies, although no negative effects on colony strength were observed. These findings suggest that protein supplementation is an effective strategy to mitigate nutritional stress in <i>E. grandis</i> plantations. This work contributes to a better understanding of the impacts of land-use intensification on honey bee health and offers tools for mitigation.</p>

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Mitigating the impacts of nutritional stress on honey bee colonies located in monoculture Eucalyptus plantations

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月23日

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  • Matilde Alarcón,
  • Loreley Castelli,
  • Belén Branchiccela,
  • Ciro Invernizzi,
  • Karina Antúnez

摘要

Agricultural intensification and land-use changes have led to an increase in monocultures, reducing the diversity of polliniferous resources. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are particularly sensitive to this reduction, which has been associated with large-scale colony losses worldwide. Reduced pollen diversity impairs nutrient intake and leads to nutritional stress. Eucalyptus grandis monocultures offer a suitable context to study this problem, as their pollen is nutritionally poor, with low protein and lipid content, and a deficiency in essential amino acids. In these environments, colonies suffer nutritional stress, become infected with the microsporidium Nosema ceranae, and weaken, which may lead to colony loss. In this study, we evaluated strategies to mitigate the impact of nutritional stress. Five groups of colonies were placed in an E. grandis plantation and received different protein supplements: Apiprot, Feedbee, and a novel nutritional formulation (UFP). Two control groups were included: one without supplementation and the other supplemented with polyfloral pollen patties. Besides that, all colonies had access to the environmental pollen (mainly E. grandis pollen). Protein supplementation increased brood and adult populations, as well as honey production, compared to negative controls. Interestingly, RNA viral levels were higher in supplemented colonies, although no negative effects on colony strength were observed. These findings suggest that protein supplementation is an effective strategy to mitigate nutritional stress in E. grandis plantations. This work contributes to a better understanding of the impacts of land-use intensification on honey bee health and offers tools for mitigation.