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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Baton Rouge, Louisiana » Honey Bee Lab » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #371756
Research Project: Genetics and Breeding in Support of Honey Bee Health

Location: Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Research

Title: Optimizing the Benefits of Propolis to Honey Bee Health in Beekeeping Operations

Author
item SHANAHAN, MAGGIE - University Of Minnesota
item Simone-Finstrom, Michael
item SPIVAK, MARLA - University Of Minnesota

Submitted to: Insects
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/28/2020
Publication Date: 1/29/2020
Citation: Shanahan, M., Simone-Finstrom, M., Spivak, M. 2020. Optimizing the Benefits of Propolis to Honey Bee Health in Beekeeping Operations. Insects. 11(2):1-49. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11020088.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/insects11020088

Interpretive Summary: Honey bee colonies nesting in tree cavities coat the rough inner surfaces with propolis, a substance comprised primarily of plant resins, and the resulting “propolis envelope.” This propolis envelope has been shown to have subtle and direct effects on the honey bee immune system and against parasites and pathogens. While there are now a host of studies documenting the benefits of propolis for bees, propolis has yet to be implemented as a tool to boost colony health in day-to-day beekeeping operations. Moreover, the smooth surfaces of the standardized wooden bee boxes currently used in beekeeping do not encourage bees to build a propolis envelope. In this study, we examined how to best stimulate colonies to construct a propolis envelope to determine it's effect in more conventionally managed colonies.

Technical Abstract: Wild honey bee colonies coat the rough inner surfaces of hollow tree cavities with propolis, a substance comprised primarily of plant resins, and the resulting “propolis envelope” serves both structural and therapeutic functions inside the hive. Though previous studies have shown that the presence of a propolis envelope leads to both individual and colony-level health benefits through the modulation of immune gene expression and increased colony strength, propolis has yet to be implemented as a tool to boost colony health in day-to-day beekeeping operations. Moreover, the smooth surfaces of the standardized wooden bee boxes currently used in beekeeping do not encourage bees to build a propolis envelope. In this study, we examined how to best stimulate colonies to construct a propolis envelope that provides significant health benefits. Five different treatment groups were tested: (1) a control group using standard smooth bee boxes without propolis traps, (2) unfinished bee boxes with rough interior surfaces, (3) bee boxes with a “striated” or “ridged” texture, (4) conventional propolis traps placed on three interior hive walls and entrance, and (5) conventional propolis traps placed on a single interior hive wall and entrance. Standard indicators of colony health were measured, and bee samples were collected to test immune gene expression using quantitative PCR techniques. The results of this study will help beekeepers optimize the benefits of the propolis envelope in their operations.