Application of the Natural Products NOZEMAT HERB and NOZEMAT HERB PLUS Can Decrease Honey Bee Colonies Losses during the Winter

Peter Hristov,Tsvetoslav Koynarski,Rositsa Shumkova,Ralitsa Balkanska

doi:10.3390/d13060228

Abstract

Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are crucial pollinators for many crops and natural ecosystems. However, honey bee colonies have been experiencing heavy overwinter mortality in almost all parts of the world. In the present study we have investigatеd, for the first time, the effects from the application of the herbal supplements NOZEMAT HERB® (NH) and NOZEMAT HERB PLUS® (NHP) on overwintering honey bee colony survival and on total protein and lysozyme content. To achieve this, in early autumn 2019, 45 colonies were selected and treated with these herbal supplements. The total protein and lysozyme content were evaluated after administration of NH and NHP twice the following year (June and September 2020). The obtained results have shown that both supplements have a positive effect on overwintering colony survival. Considerable enhancement in longevity of “winter bees” has been observed after the application of NHP, possibly due to the increased functionality of the immune system and antioxidant detoxification capacity. Although the mechanisms of action of NH and NHP are yet to be completely elucidated, our results suggest a new holistic approach on overwintering honey bee colony survival and welfare.

Highlights

Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are widely considered to be the most important insects in the world
(0.48 ± 0.27 kg) (F = 37.153, df = 18, p = 0.001, p < 0.01; F = 33.841, df = 18, p = 0.001, p < 0.01, respectively). These results indicate that the application of both herbal supplements significantly reduces the amount of food consumed in winter
Our results show that the use of either herbal supplement is associated with much lower food consumption in overwintering bee colonies, and the use of NOZEMAT HERB® (NH) is more appropriate than the application of NOZEMAT HERB PLUS® (NHP)

Summary

Introduction

Honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are widely considered to be the most important insects in the world. Honey bees survive under various environmental conditions and large climate changes. Winter is the greatest challenge to honey bee colonies in different regions all over the world. Honey bees are well-adapted to survive winter conditions, winter losses are emerging as the most serious threat for beekeeping. A large-scale survey covering 35 countries, which was conducted in the winter of 2018–2019, showed that overall loss rates per winter vary considerably between countries [4]. The highest winter losses (32.0%) were detected in Slovenia, while Bulgaria revealed the lowest loss rate (5.8%). In Serbia the loss rate for winter 2018/19 was 25.4%, followed by Spain, Croatia, Iran, Greece, and Portugal, where winter colony losses were between 20% and 25%. Moderate winter losses were recorded in Scotland and Italy (18.9% and 16.5%, respectively) within this survey [4]

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Discussion

Conclusion