Beehives act as 'living immune systems' with layered antimicrobial defenses
Researchers have discovered honey beehives act as "living immune systems" that help protect the bee colony, its offspring and food supplies from disease. The finding underlines the need to protect bee habitat to ensure their health.
Researchers have found that honey bee hives function as living immune systems, protecting the colony, offspring, and food sources from disease. This discovery highlights the importance of preserving bee habitats to maintain their health. The hive's immune system is organized in layers, with different materials like beeswax, honey, pollen, and propolis strategically placed across various hive compartments.
Each component contributes to the hive's defense, with honey and propolis demonstrating potent antimicrobial properties. The antimicrobial defenses vary depending on the hive's location and the surrounding environment, suggesting that ecosystem health plays a crucial role in colony resistance to disease.
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