Good Nutrition Enhances Honey Bee Resilience Against Pesticides and Viruses

A comprehensive study reveals that well-nourished bees can better withstand the combined threats of pesticides and viral infections.

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign examined the interplay of nutritional stress, viral infections, and pesticide exposure on honey bee survival.
The study found that bees fed natural pollen showed significantly higher resilience to pesticides and viruses compared to those fed artificial pollen.
Exposure to low-level pesticides sometimes helped bees cope with viral infections, but this effect depended on the bees having access to good nutrition.
The research dispels concerns that high-quality prairie habitats near agricultural fields create an 'ecological trap' for bees.
The findings suggest that providing high-quality habitat can enhance honey bee resilience, though pesticides still pose significant risks.