
The gut microbiome is key to nestmate recognition in the honey bee – a talk by Cassondra Vernier
March 18 @ 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm GMT
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This event is a virtual event, hosted on Zoom.
Current CABK members and Non-members are welcome to attend.
Registration for this event will start in late February 2021
Dr Cassondra Vernier

The gut microbiome is key to nestmate recognition in the honey bee

Guard bees at work! © Nathan Beach
Honey bees rely on nestmate recognition to recognize and reject intruders such as parasites, predators and robbers from entering their hive. This behaviour is performed at the entrance to the hive by guard bees, who inspect incoming bees to determine if they have a pheromonal signature that matches their colony. Despite the importance of these pheromonal cues in maintaining the integrity and fitness of the honey bee colony, how bees develop a cue that matches their own colony and differs from other colonies was not fully understood. Previous research suggested that bees develop these cues based on their colony environment, yet these environmental factor(s) remained unknown. In this presentation, I will present evidence that indicates that the gut microbiome plays an important role in defining nestmate recognition cues in honey bees