Abstract
In this study, we investigated if oral administration of lactic acid bacteria could increase the colony performance of reared bumblebees. We found that a continuous administration of Lactobacillus kunkeei LMG 18925 and Lactobacillus crispatus LMG 9479 could partly compensate the effects of low nutritional pollen, but a permanent colonization in the gut was not detected with Illumina MiSeq 16S rRNA sequencing. Contrary to expectations, a single administration of L. kunkeei LMG 18925 to a high nutritional pollen led to a lower total drone mass. A Bombus-specific strain, Bifidobacterium actinocoloniiforme R-53049, showed potential to colonize the gut permanently after three administrations. Our study represents a first screening for the potential use of probiotic strains in bumblebees. We conclude that both diet and host specificity of bacteria might have an effect on colony performance of indoor-reared bumblebees and play a role in the gut colonization success.
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