YGIAMEL

Honeybee health depends on the environment around the hive, including food resources, pathogens and landscape conditions. YGIAMEL examined how these factors interact across semi-natural, agricultural and urban landscapes, and whether biological signatures can also help trace honey origin.

Honeybee colonies were monitored in different landscape types using field observations, connected hive scales, metagenomics and mass spectrometry. Plant resources, microbes, pathogens, bee behaviour and honey production were analysed together.

The project produced bee-health indicators linking landscape conditions, pathogens and foraging behaviour, a catalogue of plant resources and microbial dynamics, predictive tools for hive management, and biological indicators relevant to honey origin.

• Galanis A., Vardakas P., Reczko M., Harokopos V., Hatzis P., Skoulakis E.M.C, Pavlopoulos G.A., Patalano S.* (2022). Bee foraging preferences, microbiota and pathogens revealed by direct shotgun metagenomics of honey. Molecular Ecology Resources. DOI: 10.1111/1755-0998.13626 →

ELGO-DIMITRA, BSRC Alexander Fleming, Hellenic Foundation for Research & Innovation

https://www.elidek.gr/en/microsites/multi-omics-assessment-of-honeybee-health-and-behaviour-under-threatening-environments/