Emily Johnson
Bees have been observed to feed on mushrooms, specifically the mycelium, or roots, of mushrooms. This behaviour has been linked to a potential nutritional or medicinal benefit for bees. Mushrooms have been found to produce a wide array of chemicals with antimicrobial activity, including compounds that are active against viruses that infect bees. This has led to the development of mushroom feeders for bees, which aim to improve bee health and nutrition. The relationship between bees and mushrooms is a complex one, with some fungi being harmful to bees, while others offer benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do bees feed on mushrooms? | Bees have been observed to feed on the roots (mycelium) of mushrooms. |
| Why do bees feed on mushrooms? | Mushrooms provide an alternative source of protein to pollen and other plant-derived substances. |
| What is the benefit of bees feeding on mushrooms? | Mushrooms have antiviral properties that reduce viruses in bees. |
| How do beekeepers use mushrooms to benefit bees? | Beekeepers mix fungal extracts with sucrose solution and feed it to bees using in-hive feeders. |
| What is the BeeMushroomed Feeder? | The BeeMushroomed Feeder is a delivery system for mushroom mycelium extract, making this nutritive food easily available to bees. |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms can reduce viruses in bees
Bees are essential for providing food for people, and their survival is directly linked to our own. Therefore, it is crucial to address the various impacts on bee survival, such as climate change, specific pesticides, parasite infections, and reduced natural plant diversity. One of the surprising connections that affect bee survival is the link between bees and fungi. Bees have been observed to consume the roots (mycelia) of fungi, which provide an alternative protein source compared to pollen and other plant-derived substances. This behaviour suggests that bees may be deriving medicinal or nutritional value from fungi.
Indeed, studies have shown that extracts of polypore mushroom mycelia can effectively reduce viruses in bees. These extracts have been demonstrated to reduce RNA virus titers in honey bees, specifically targeting the deformed wing virus (DWV) and Lake Sinai virus (LSV) groups. In field trials, colonies fed Ganoderma resinaceum extract exhibited a remarkable 79-fold reduction in DWV and a staggering 45,000-fold reduction in LSV compared to control colonies. Additionally, both Fomes and Ganoderma extracts significantly lowered DWV and LSV levels in field trials using 5-frame colonies.
The discovery of the antiviral properties of mushroom extracts has significant implications for honeybee populations and the ecosystems and economies that depend on their health. Currently, beekeepers can only indirectly control virus levels by reducing mite infestations, which has had limited success due to the development of mite resistance to synthetic miticides. By using mushroom extracts, beekeepers may be able to directly reduce virus levels in honey bees, providing a novel and effective approach to combat the decline in honey bee health.
Furthermore, the use of mushroom extracts to reduce viruses in bees has potential applications for beekeepers who provide critical pollination services. The antiviral activity of fungal extracts also opens up new avenues for research into the complex interactions between mites, viruses, and honey bee health. The development of the BeeMushroomed Feeder™, a delivery system for mushroom mycelium extract, aims to make this nutritive food easily accessible to bees, supporting their natural health. This innovation has the potential to create powerful points of health and nutrition for bees across diverse landscapes.
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Bees have been observed foraging on mushroom mycelium
Bees have been observed to forage on mushroom mycelium, suggesting that they may be obtaining medicinal or nutritional value from fungi. Fungi are known to produce a wide array of chemicals with antimicrobial activity, including compounds that are active against bacteria, other fungi, or viruses. This link between bees and fungi is a surprising connection that affects bee survival.
Honey bees have been observed foraging directly on mycelium growing in outdoor beds. They are known to visit wine cap mushroom beds (Stropharia rugoso-annulata) and suck up the sweet secretions of the mushroom's mycelium. This has led researchers to suspect that fungal extracts can offer nutritional support that may play a significant role in improving and maintaining bee health. Initial findings suggest that there are a number of species of wood-rotting fungi that may help reduce honey bee viruses and increase their lifespans. For example, extracts from the mycelium of multiple polypore fungal species known to have antiviral properties. Extracts from amadou (Fomes) and reishi (Ganoderma) fungi reduced the levels of honey bee deformed wing virus (DWV) and Lake Sinai virus (LSV) in a dose-dependent manner.
Bees have been reported to consume the roots (mycelia) of fungi, which provide an alternative source of protein to pollen and other plant-derived substances. As mushrooms develop, bees dig at the base of plants and trees to feed on the mushroom's spreading roots (mycelia). If bears do not remove the bark from trees, mushrooms cannot grow, which means bees cannot feed on the mycelium and are more likely to contract diseases or toxins.
To address the issue of bee health, Paul Stamets and Paul Taylor designed the BeeMushroomed Feeder (BMF), a delivery system for mushroom mycelium extract. This feeder will allow anyone to help feed local bees with a proprietary mushroom mycelium extract.
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Fungi produce chemicals with antimicrobial activity
Bees have been observed to forage on mushroom mycelium, indicating that they may be obtaining medicinal or nutritional value from fungi. Indeed, the BeeMushroomed Feeder, currently in development, is a delivery system for mushroom mycelium extract, designed to sustain bees' natural health.
Fungi are known to produce a wide array of chemicals with antimicrobial activity, including compounds that are active against bacteria, other fungi, or viruses. This includes antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral compounds. For example, Strobilurus tenacellus and Oudemansiella mucida, two agaricomycetes growing on decaying wood in European forests, were observed to defend themselves against other fungi by producing the compounds strobilurin A and oudemansin A. Fungi also produce secondary metabolites with bacteriostatic or fungistatic activity, which can serve as alternatives to commonly used antibiotics.
The phenomenon of drug resistance in microorganisms has increased the need for new antimicrobial compounds, and fungi are a promising source for this purpose. Fungi produce a wide range of secondary metabolites, many of which have antimicrobial properties. These metabolites are synthesized in response to specific environmental conditions, and their production can be influenced by epigenetic modulation. For example, the addition of NO has been observed to increase the antimicrobial activity of certain fungi.
Furthermore, fungal extracts have been shown to reduce viruses in honey bees. In one study, extracts from the mycelium of multiple polypore fungal species were used, and extracts from amadou (Fomes) and reishi (Ganoderma) fungi significantly reduced the levels of honey bee deformed wing virus (DWV) and Lake Sinai virus (LSV) in a dose-dependent manner. In another study, extracts from Agaricus bisporus mushrooms were shown to reduce Nosema ceranae infections in honey bees. These findings highlight the potential of fungi-derived compounds in combating bee viruses and improving bee health.
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Honey bees visit wine cap mushroom beds
Honey bees have been observed visiting wine cap mushroom beds (Stropharia rugoso-annulata) and feeding on the sweet secretions of the mushroom's mycelium. This behaviour suggests that bees may be obtaining nutritional or medicinal benefits from the fungi. Indeed, research has shown that extracts of polypore mushroom mycelia can reduce viruses in honey bees, including the deformed wing virus (DWV) and Lake Sinai virus (LSV).
The relationship between honey bees and fungi is a fascinating one. While some fungi are harmful to bees, others can be beneficial or even essential to their health. For example, extracts from the Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), Red-Belted Polypore (Fomitopsis pinicola), and Amadou (Fomes fomentarius) mushrooms have been found to reduce honey bee viruses and increase their lifespans.
The potential benefits of fungi for bee health have led to the development of products like the BeeMushroomed Feeder™, a delivery system for mushroom mycelium extract designed to provide bees with nutritive food to sustain their health. This product is currently in the development phase, with regulatory considerations in progress.
In addition to the BeeMushroomed Feeder™, there have been numerous trials conducted to find effective methods of delivering mushroom extracts to bees. For example, researchers have tested hives made with mushroom mycelium in compressed sawdust and cardboard, as well as sugar patties containing fungal spores.
The use of fungi in honey bee colonies is a growing area of interest and study, with researchers exploring the potential of different fungal species to improve and maintain bee health.
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Mushrooms can be used as a supplement for bees
Bees have been observed to forage on mushroom mycelium, indicating that they may derive medicinal and nutritional value from fungi. Mushrooms produce a wide array of chemicals with antimicrobial properties, including compounds effective against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. This suggests that mushrooms could be used to enhance bee health and support their immune system.
Fungi Perfecti®, an environmentally conscious company, has been at the forefront of this initiative. They specialize in harnessing the power of mushrooms and mycelium to improve the health of the planet and its inhabitants. Their research has led to the development of the BeeMushroomed Feeder™, a patent-pending delivery system for mushroom mycelium extract. This feeder aims to provide bees with easy access to nutritious mushroom mycelium extract, supporting their natural health.
The BeeMushroomed Feeder™ is currently in the development phase, and regulatory considerations are being addressed for this innovative mycotechnology. While it is not yet available for sale, interested individuals can join a mailing list to be notified when the product is ready for distribution. The company also encourages donations to directly support research efforts at Washington State University, with nearly $5 million in funding already raised for the Honey Bee & Pollinator Division.
Field trials have demonstrated the effectiveness of mushroom extracts in reducing virus levels in bees. For example, extracts from amadou (Fomes) and reishi (Ganoderma) fungi significantly lowered the deformed wing virus (DWV) and Lake Sinai virus (LSV) levels in bee colonies. These extracts were mixed into sucrose solutions and administered using in-hive feeders, showcasing the potential of mushrooms as a powerful supplement to enhance bee health and combat viral infections.
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Frequently asked questions
Bees have been observed to feed on the mycelium of mushrooms. Mycelium is the root-like structure of a mushroom, and bees have been seen foraging on this part of the fungus.
Bees may feed on mushrooms to derive medicinal or nutritional value. Mushrooms are known to produce a range of chemicals with antimicrobial activity, and studies have shown that extracts from certain mushrooms can reduce viruses in bees.
Bees have been observed to visit wine cap mushroom beds and suck up the sweet secretions of the mushroom's mycelium. They also feed on mushroom mycelium mixed with sucrose syrup.
Bees have been observed to feed on the mycelium of polypore mushrooms, including amadou (Fomes) and reishi (Ganoderma).
