Bumblebees May Self-Medicate When Exposed to Fungal Infections

Topic: Biology

Scientists studied bumblebees and found that they may change their behavior when exposed to certain diseases. They visited flowers with a special liquid that has healing properties, but only when infected with a fungus.

A new study published in the journal Royal Society Open Science suggests that buff-tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris) may self-medicate when exposed to a fungal brood disease. This means they might try to heal themselves by changing their behavior when they get sick.

The researchers at KU Leuven in Belgium and the University of Valladolid in Spain studied 18 commercial bumblebee colonies. They placed these colonies inside special tents with robotic flowers that produced artificial nectar. Some of this nectar contained a natural compound called quercetin, which has antimicrobial properties.

The scientists divided the colonies into three groups for two weeks before the experiment. One group was exposed to Ascosphaera apis, a fungus that infects and kills bee larvae. Another group was exposed to Serratia marcescens, an opportunistic gut bacterium that infects adult bees. A control group was fed pollen with a sterile sugar solution.

Over five days of free foraging, the colonies exposed to the fungus Ascosphaera apis became increasingly likely to visit the quercetin-laced flowers and spent more time drinking from them.

Why It Matters

This study shows that animals may have ways to heal themselves without human help. It also highlights the importance of understanding how different diseases affect animals' behavior.

Key Facts

• Scientists studied 18 commercial bumblebee colonies in Belgium and Spain.
• The researchers found that buff-tailed bumblebees may self-medicate when exposed to a fungal brood disease.
• Quercetin is a natural compound with antimicrobial properties found in plant nectar and pollen.
• Ascosphaera apis is a fungus that infects and kills bee larvae, while Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic gut bacterium that infects adult bees.
• The study did not measure whether drinking quercetin actually reduced infection levels or helped more larvae survive.

Key Terms

Antimicrobial

A substance that kills or stops the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi.

Implications

This study shows that animals may have ways to heal themselves without human help. It also highlights the importance of understanding how different diseases affect animals' behavior.