Researchers find honey bee hives have their own immune system

Researchers have discovered that honey bee hives possess a form of immune system that helps control harmful microbes, according to Good Good Good.

The study, published in ISME Communications, highlights how the hive's organization plays a key role in this defense. The hive is composed of thousands of wax cells serving different functions such as nurseries, food storage, and entry points, each modified by bees with materials like propolis, honey, and bee bread.

Researchers sampled 24 colonies in New South Wales, analyzing honey, propolis, pollen, wax, and bees using DNA sequencing and chemical fingerprinting techniques to map microbial communities and test antimicrobial properties.

The findings suggest that these hive materials work together as a coordinated defense system, enabling healthy colonies to keep harmful microbes under control despite dense living conditions and potential exposure to disease.

This research also indicates that the ecological complexity surrounding a hive may influence its ability to combat disease, pointing to the importance of environmental factors in colony health.