BEES CAN SELF HEAL INFECTIONS

BEES CAN SELF HEAL INFECTIONS

Recent studies have proved that bees are capable of healing themselves if they are infected. They would medicate themselves against any kind of infections from outside. The study revealed that bees make use of anti-fungal plant resins to protect their colony against any infection.


 “The colony is willing to expend the energy and effort of its worker bees to collect these resins,” said Michael Simone-Finstrom, postdoctoral researcher in entomology at North Carolina State University, who co-authored the study with Marla Spivak of the University of Minnesota.

“So, clearly this behavior has evolved because the benefit to the colony exceeds the cost,” added Simone-Finstrom, the journal Public Library of Science ONE reported. It is found out that when the colony is infected by any kind of pathogens, the bees would cover the lines of hives with propolis, a yellow waxy substance made of plant resins and wax.

It is said that when the colony is infected, the bees use about 45% more propolis to cover the lines of hives. Even the domesticated bees, do the same if they are infected. Propolis is an effective anti-fungal substance which checks infection from outside.