Effect of “EM® PROBIOTIC FOR BEES” on the dynamics viability of bee in an entomological cage experiment

Abstract

At present, Ukraine is one of the first honey producing country in Europe. Around 100 thousand tonnes of honey are produced annually in Ukraine, therefore, maintaining the health of the bee colonies is an important issue. The use of different groups of drugs for the prevention of bee diseases is strictly controlled, now the known alternatives to antibiotics are probiotics. The micro-organisms in these preparats are able to synthesise vitamins and amino acids necessary for the growth and development of bees, which in turn activates the immunocompetent cells of the insects and prolongs their life. The immunomodulatory and immunostimulatory ability of such supplements of “beneficial” microorganisms is known, both in veterinary and human medicine. The use of such remedies is therefore promising in the field of modern beekeeping. “EM® PROBIOTIC FOR BEES” is a biopreparation that positively influences the microbiological environment of insects, as the preparation is based on Effective Microorganisms®. The ability of this probiotic to influence the dynamics of life span of Ukrainian steppe bees in a wooden entomological cage experiment (in vivo) was the main objective of the experiment. The effect of the probiotic on bee viability was determined by daily analysis and counting the number of dead insects. The study involved the settlement of bees in a wooden entomological cages and the creation of optimal conditions for their keeping (at a temperature of +24 – +25 °C and a humidity of 50–70 %). The product was diluted with buckwheat honey syrup solution and sugar syrup solution at concentrations of 5 %; 2.5 %; 1.25 %; control groups of bees received native solutions of the sugar syrup and buckwheat honey syrup. The analysis of the results shows a positive effect of “EM® PROBIOTIC FOR BEES” on the longevity of Ukrainian steppe worker bees of the winter generation in a entomological cage experiment. A beneficial effect of the probiotic product diluted in sugar syrup at concentrations of 1.25 % to 5 % has been detected on the bee organism, which increased their lifespan. When the product was diluted with buckwheat honey syrup, the best longevity of the insects was recorded at a concentration of 1.25 % compared to the control group of bees. The coefficient of average life expectancy of bees indicates the predominance of sugar syrup as a solvent for this probiotic compared to buckwheat honey syrup under laboratory conditions.