Shocking Discovery: Bees' Hidden Partner Revealed

Amidst the joy of dining outdoors, bees may not be our favorite companions, but they play a vital role in our ecosystem. These industrious pollinators are essential for modern agriculture, as a significant portion of our food relies on their pollination services. Sadly, bees are facing serious threats to their survival. In our upcoming film, "Symbiosis," scientists may have unveiled a potential cause that could revolutionize our understanding of bees and their ecosystems.

The film takes us on a journey into the microscopic world that was previously unknown to us, where bees have a hidden partner in their mutualism with plants—the microbes. New research reveals that these tiny organisms play a surprising role in the lives of these prolific pollinators. However, this discovery also raises concerns about the future of wild bees in a world heavily impacted by human activities.

When we think of bees, we often picture honey bees, but they are not native to North America. Native bees have been an integral part of our continent for millions of years, with around 4,000 species, some being crucial crop pollinators, while others contribute to the pollination of native plants and wildflowers. The diversity of bees in North America is tightly connected to their mutualism with plants.

Most native bees are solitary ground-nesting species. Each female constructs her own brood cell, provisions it with pollen and nectar, lays an egg, and protects it until it develops into an adult bee. However, the smooth functioning of this cycle is now being disrupted for many wild bee species.

Research started to link bee declines to fungicide use, but initially, it was unclear how fungicides affected bees, as they were tested and considered safe for adult bees. To investigate further, scientists turned to studying wild bees' life cycles from the beginning, leading them to a fascinating discovery inside the brood cells.

Mother bees introduce bacteria and fungi into the brood cells while provisioning them with pollen and nectar. These microbes create their own ecosystem, which plays a crucial role in the development of bee larvae. When researchers removed the microbes from the brood cells, the larvae suffered significantly, suggesting that the microbes are vital for their growth and survival.

Further investigations with osmia bees (mason bees) revealed that larvae rely heavily on microbial meat in addition to pollen and nectar. The absence of microbial food caused the larvae to starve, even with sufficient pollen and nectar available. This newfound understanding of the symbiotic relationship between bees, plants, and microbes has implications for bee health and pollination in the face of fungicide use.

The link between fungicides and bee health appears to lie in their impact on the microbes inside the brood cells. Fungicides might not directly harm adult bees, but they disrupt the delicate balance within the brood cell ecosystem, affecting larval development. To protect native pollinators, researchers are working to identify less harmful fungicides and adjust application methods to minimize exposure during bee foraging times.

By appreciating the crucial role that microbes play in the lives of bees, we can work towards a more sustainable approach to agriculture that safeguards both our crops and our essential pollinators. Ultimately, protecting native bees also means preserving the hidden world of microbes that shapes the fabric of our existence.

The lesson from "Symbiosis" is that bees and their hidden microbial partners are essential for our ecosystem and modern agriculture. To protect these vital pollinators, we must reevaluate our use of fungicides and adopt sustainable agricultural practices. By preserving the delicate balance between bees, plants, and microbes, we can ensure a thriving ecosystem that sustains our food supply and the natural world around us.