New Infectious Diseases Among Bees Threaten World’s Economies

A study published in Scientific Reports in February 2024 estimated that 40% of bumblebee species in the Indian Himalaya could lose more than 90% of their habitat by 2050.

Reason for Declining Species of Bees 

• It all happened due to the introduction of western honey bee colonies after which some disease completely decimated the indigenous pollinator populations.

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About Pollination

• It is a process in which pollen grains from male part of a flower (Anther)  are transferred  to the female part (stigma). 
• Objective: The objective of pollination is the production of seeds which carry genetic material for creation of new plants. 
• Pollination Vectors: Wind, Water, Birds, Insects (bees, butterflies, etc.), Bats, and Other animals that visit flowers. 
• Pollinator
• • These are the animals or insects that help in  moving pollen. 
  • It occurs when pollinators 
    • Collect pollen for its nutritional value (protein).
    • Sip nectar from the flower.

About Insect Pollinators 

• These are insects that assist in the transfer of pollen from one flower to another,
• It  facilitates fertilization and seed production in plants. 
• They play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and supporting agriculture.

Types of Insect Pollinators

• Bees:
  • Honey Bees (Apis mellifera): Widely managed for honey production and crop pollination.
  • Wild Bees: Includes bumblebees and solitary bees, often more efficient pollinators than managed honey bees.
• Wasps: Contribute to pollination, though less efficient than bees.
• Beetles: Known as “mess and soil” pollinators, they help in pollinating some flowering plants.
• Flies: Particularly hoverflies, which mimic bees and are significant pollinators for various crops.
• Moths and Butterflies: Pollinate flowers while feeding on nectar, often at night (moths) or during the day (butterflies).

Importance of Insect Pollinators 

• Role of Insect Pollinators in Agriculture
• • Over 75% of food crops, fruits, and flowering plants rely on pollinators like bees, wasps, butterflies, and beetles for successful yields.
  • These pollinators are essential for global agricultural productivity and nutritional security.

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Threats to Pollinator Populations

• Pesticides and Pollution: Directly harm pollinators and their habitats.
• Climate Change: Disrupts ecosystems and reduces available resources.
• Infectious Diseases: Emerging as a new threat, worsened by habitat loss and reduced biodiversity.
• Economic Implications of Pollinator Decline
  • A decline in pollinators could impact the agricultural economy globally, affecting food supply and livelihoods.

Impact of Pathogen Transmission on Pollinators

• Pathogen Spillover and Spillback
  • Managed honey bees often carry pathogens like deformed wing virus and black queen virus.
    • These pathogens are transmitted to wild pollinators when they share habitats or floral resources, a process called spillover.
      • Pathogens may also mutate in wild pollinators and reinfect honey bees in more harmful forms (spillback).
• Findings from Swiss Research
  • A study published in Nature Ecology and Evolution found:
    • Pathogen loads in wild pollinators sharing habitats with managed honey bees were 10 times higher.
    • Diverse habitats with abundant floral resources reduced pathogen transmission risks.