In the 1970s, the lifespan of bees living in the laboratory was approximately one month. But according to a new study published in the journal Scientific Reports, lab bees now live for a maximum of 15 days. The shortening of the lifespan of a species that plays such a vital role in our environment, such as bees, has caused experts to voice their concerns. The recent global decline in the bee population is worrying.
The latest findings came about when a research team was investigating how bees feed on different types of water (deionized, salty and tap water). It was determined that feeding the bees with different types of water instead of just sugar syrup extended their average lifespan. But during the research that contributed to these findings, the team found a surprising difference between the lifespan of the modern honey bee and the lifespan documented in the 1970s.
“We isolate bees from colony life just before they emerge as adults, so anything that reduces their lifespan happens before that point,” said Anthony Nearman, an entomologist at the University of Maryland and lead author of the study.
Honey bees are an integral part of most ecosystems because of their role in pollination. Pollination helps plants reproduce and maintains the genetic diversity of populations. “This suggests that there is a genetic component involved,” says Nearman. “If this hypothesis is correct, it also points to a possible solution. If we can isolate some genetic factors, then maybe we can produce honeybees that live longer.”
Bees are invaluable for pollination; however, insects are killed by climate change-related factors such as pesticides, habitat destruction, disease and drought. The FDA has even produced three different types of antibiotics to prevent a bacterial disease that destroys entire colonies.
Despite better laboratory treatment of animals due to standardized protocols developed in the 2000s for keeping bees in laboratories, the shortened lifespan of insects is a concern. “It’s surprising that the death rate has doubled even though we’ve improved conditions,” Nearman says.
Next, the team will compare the life expectancy trends of American honey bees with international bee colonies; If there are differences, it will investigate whether certain genetics, pesticides or pathogens are triggering the worrying trend.
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