What We Know, and Don't Know, about the Benefits of Propolis to Honey Bee Health

Year 2018, Volume: 1 Issue: 3 - 2nd Propolis Conference Special Issue, 2 - 2, 08.12.2018

Marla Sıvak

Abstract

When colonies of Apis mellifera nest in tree cavities,
they line the nest interior with a propolis envelope. Colonies in standard
beekeeping equipment made of smooth wood do not construct a propolis envelope.
The benefits of an antimicrobial layer are both prophylactic and therapeutic; a
propolis envelope can improve colony health by reducing stress on individual
immunity and can directly inhibit some pathogens (e.g., American foulbrood) and
parasites (e.g., small hive beetle)^{1, 2, 3}. More research is needed
on the costs and benefits of resin collection to individual bees, and the
presence of a propolis envelope on colony health. The behavioral regulation of
resin foraging at the individual bee and colony level is poorly understood: how
do bees locate sources of plant resins; do they choose among resin sources; and
how do they recruit nest mates to the resins? We do not understand the modes of
action (contact and/or volatile emissions) of propolis on bee immune function,
and against A. mellifera microbes and
parasites. At the colony level, more studies are needed to explore propolis as
a treatment against hive diseases, both alone and in combination with other
mechanisms of social immunity (i.e. hygienic behavior). What modifications in
manmade bee boxes are needed to stimulate colonies to construct a propolis
envelope?  And finally, unlike A. mellifera and stingless bees, the
Asian honey bee, A. cerana, does not
collect resin or incorporate propolis in its nest - why not?  

Keywords

Apis mellifera, Honey bee product, Propolis

References

• 1. Simone-Finstrom M, Borba RS, Wilson M, Spivak M (2017) Propolis counteracts some threats to honey bee health. Review. Insects 8: 46 2. Simone-Finstrom M, Spivak M (2010) Propolis and bee health: the natural history and significance of resin use by honey bees. Apidologie 41: 295–311 3. Borba RS, Spivak M (2017) Propolis envelope in Apis mellifera colonies supports honey bees against the pathogen, Paenibacillus larvae. Scientific Reports 7: 11429