We asked Tarpy to explain the science behind this new option and what it could mean for beekeepers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is significant about the USDA approval?<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\nI believe this is the first registered product of its kind for insects since so few are \u201cdomesticated\u201d insects under the USDA veterinary umbrella. It is based on a research paradigm, demonstrated first on beetles, then on other insects until finally being shown in honey bees, that suggests transgenerational immune priming or TGIP. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is where a mother exposed to a pathogen somehow transmits immunity through the eggs so that her offspring are less susceptible to the same strain of the same disease. This is not a genetic manipulation or permanent change, although the exact mechanism of this maternal effect is unknown. The research funded and published by this company suggests a modest (30-50%) reduction in the infection of inoculated larvae in a controlled laboratory setting. It is unclear at this point, however, how well this will translate to a real-world environment, but our understanding is that field trials are currently underway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you vaccinate honey bees?<\/strong> <\/h4>\n\n\n\nBeekeepers mix the product \u2013 in essence, dead cells of the bacterium that causes the disease \u2013 into \u201cqueen candy,\u201d pretty much cake fondant that beekeepers can feed to colonies since a major part of their diet is sugar. The workers then feed the queen, which in turn primes the eggs she lays to have this transgenerational immune priming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dead larvae decompose and produce a very potent smell \u2013 like dirty gym socks put in a Ziploc bag stored in your truck during a hot summer day.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
What causes American foulbrood? What happens to infected hives? Where did the disease get its name?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s caused by a spore-forming bacterium, Paenibacillus larvae. It is widely known as the most noxious brood pathogen of honey bee colonies because it is so contagious and devastating. It got its moniker from the main symptom since dead larvae decompose and produce a very potent smell \u2013 like dirty gym socks put in a Ziploc bag stored in your truck during a hot summer day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Could this approach be used for other threats to honey bees? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nThat is the hope. The company with this current product has another honey bee bacterial pathogen (European foulbrood) and fungal pathogen (Chalkbrood) in its pipeline. I am particularly hopeful that this approach might be used for the many viral pathogens that honey bees face, but because they are so much different than bacterial pathogens \u2013 and the insect immune system responds to them differently \u2013 much more research needs to be done before this might be a useful application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"NC State](\"https:\/\/cals.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/Beekeepers-e1653061335357-1024x577.jpg\")
The NC State apiculture program helps beekeepers keep their hives healthy. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHow could commercial beekeepers benefit from the vaccine?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nBeekeepers would benefit in several ways. First, they would be less reliant on antibiotics to mitigate disease, which would further reduce antibiotic-resistant strains and contamination of honey. Second, since antibiotics only prevent the bacteria from sporulating \u2013 it doesn\u2019t kill the spores, just prevents them from infecting \u2013 the only true way to eradicate the disease is to kill the bees and burn this hive equipment, resulting in tremendous economic losses for the beekeeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What essential role do honey bees fill in pollinating plants?<\/strong> How many of our food and fiber crops require honey bees or other pollinators?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\nHoney bees are the primary insect pollinator of about 100 different crops grown in the U.S., accounting for increased yield and billions of dollars in added economic productivity. Without honey bees and other pollinators, we wouldn\u2019t have roughly one-third of what we eat every day, especially all of the fruits, vegetables and nuts that constitute a healthy diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beekeepers mix the product \u2013 in essence, dead cells of the bacterium that causes the disease \u2013 into \u201cqueen candy,\u201d pretty much cake fondant that beekeepers can feed to colonies since a major part of their diet is sugar. The workers then feed the queen, which in turn primes the eggs she lays to have this transgenerational immune priming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dead larvae decompose and produce a very potent smell \u2013 like dirty gym socks put in a Ziploc bag stored in your truck during a hot summer day.<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
What causes American foulbrood? What happens to infected hives? Where did the disease get its name?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s caused by a spore-forming bacterium, Paenibacillus larvae. It is widely known as the most noxious brood pathogen of honey bee colonies because it is so contagious and devastating. It got its moniker from the main symptom since dead larvae decompose and produce a very potent smell \u2013 like dirty gym socks put in a Ziploc bag stored in your truck during a hot summer day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Could this approach be used for other threats to honey bees? <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
That is the hope. The company with this current product has another honey bee bacterial pathogen (European foulbrood) and fungal pathogen (Chalkbrood) in its pipeline. I am particularly hopeful that this approach might be used for the many viral pathogens that honey bees face, but because they are so much different than bacterial pathogens \u2013 and the insect immune system responds to them differently \u2013 much more research needs to be done before this might be a useful application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The NC State apiculture program helps beekeepers keep their hives healthy. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n How could commercial beekeepers benefit from the vaccine?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Beekeepers would benefit in several ways. First, they would be less reliant on antibiotics to mitigate disease, which would further reduce antibiotic-resistant strains and contamination of honey. Second, since antibiotics only prevent the bacteria from sporulating \u2013 it doesn\u2019t kill the spores, just prevents them from infecting \u2013 the only true way to eradicate the disease is to kill the bees and burn this hive equipment, resulting in tremendous economic losses for the beekeeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What essential role do honey bees fill in pollinating plants?<\/strong> How many of our food and fiber crops require honey bees or other pollinators?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Honey bees are the primary insect pollinator of about 100 different crops grown in the U.S., accounting for increased yield and billions of dollars in added economic productivity. Without honey bees and other pollinators, we wouldn\u2019t have roughly one-third of what we eat every day, especially all of the fruits, vegetables and nuts that constitute a healthy diet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n