Urbanization Increases the Risk of Pathogens and Inbreeding for Wild Bees

York University researchers stated that wild bees residing in metropolitan settings like Toronto are more likely to experience environmental stresses like more diseases and parasites than those living in rural or even suburban regions based on a recent research.

Wild bees increased diseases and parasites in cities

(Photo : ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The researchers discovered modifications within the microbiomes of wild bees residing in crowded cities and fragmented ecosystems, resulting in it more challenging for the bees to find food sources, the best places to lay their eggs, and mates, as per Phys.org.

As cities grow and landscapes are altered, these environmental stresses will probably get worse in the future, posing one of the biggest dangers to the biodiversity and natural habitats of wild bees.

The world's population is projected to live in cities for two-thirds of the time.

Using whole genome sequencing, the researchers examined the population genetics, metagenome, and microbiome of 180 common carpenter bees (Ceratina calcarata), alongside the effects of environmental stressors in the Greater Toronto Area.

Unlike controlled and non-native bees like honeybees, these little carpenter bees are wild and native bees.

In spite of the lack of genetic difference, they discovered considerable environmental diversity in bee microbiomes and dietary resources.

One of the main causes of bee population decreases worldwide is parasite and pathogen infections, which are made worse by urbanization, habitat loss, and habitat degradation.

However, lead author Katherine D. Chau, a doctoral student at York University, noted that there are things that communities can do to support wild bees.

Cities may have an influence on all insect pollinators, which pollinate more than 87% of blooming plants and 75% of food crops worldwide, even though bees are the most important pollinators.

In contrast to rural regions, cities also produce an urban heat island effect, which results in hotter temperatures inside the city than outside, which has an impact on the duration of the growing season and the timing of blooming.

For instance, this can cause flowers to blossom either before or after bees were foraging.

Disease spillover may potentially be the cause of the increased pathogen and parasite infections within urban settings.

Because sick bees were more probable to contaminate the flowers they visit because they are concentrated in certain locations, the virus can spread to other bees of different species when they visit the same bloom.

Also read: Taal Wipes Out Bee Farm in Laguna

Bacteria makes bee sick

A dangerous condition that affects bees is American foulbrood (AFB).

It is brought on by the bacteria Paenibacillus larvae, which produces spores, as per World Organisation for Animal Health.

It happens all across the world. The bacteria in the brood cell destroy the larvae. Infected hives have vacant cells that give the colony a mottled appearance.

There may also be a characteristic odor, and the brood is slimy or slurpy. Bacterial spores produced by very resilient, long-living infected larvae are what transmit AFB.

Antibiotic therapy kills the vegetative bacteria but not the spores, causing the illness to return.

As a result, burning the hive and its accessories is frequently advised since it can be the only option to get rid of the spores.

Eradicate bees' pest and disease

Take the necessary action to get rid of any pests or diseases if you find them in any of your hives, as per BeeAware.

To stop bees from transmitting the pest or illness to other hives in your apiary or to the hive of other beekeepers, this needs to be done as quickly as feasible.

Maintaining strong hives will lower the danger of transmitting illnesses and pests since weak hives are far more likely to be stolen.