Presentation Details
| Sniff, Sting, or Share: Integrating Chemical Cues and Social Immunity Across Honey Bee Lineages SAKSHI WATTS, KERRY MAUCK, BORIS BAER. Center for Integrative Bee Research, Entomology department, University of California Riverside, Riverside, CA, USA |
Abstract
Host-pathogen interactions in honey bees (Apis mellifera) are shaped by individual immunity and social defenses, yet how these differ across genotypes remains unclear. We compared a commercial lineage with a highly hybridized Californian lineage in their responses to infection by the fungal pathogen Nosema ceranae, integrating infection intensity, volatile chemical cues, and bee-to-bee social interactions. Commercial bees showed lower infection intensities and a broader range of social immune behaviors, including aggression toward infected individuals, consistent with greater resistance and/or tolerance. In contrast, Californian bees exhibited higher infection levels and mainly non-defensive interactions. Surprisingly, volatile analyses revealed elevated alarm-related compounds (2-heptanone, isopentyl acetate) in Californian bees despite limited behavioral responses. This mismatch suggests that social immunity may rely more on contact-based cues than previously assumed, or reflect ongoing adaptation to a recent host-pathogen association. Together, these results highlight genotype-specific differences in resistance, tolerance, and integration of chemical and behavioral defenses.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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