Bees play a key role on Earth in maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity. In
addition to habitat shrinkage and the decline of plant species that provide their food
source, bees are also being reduced in number by viral, bacterial and fungal infestations.
Mycotoxins, which are produced by molds and cause disease, are ingested by bees
along with pollen. Chalkbrood and stonebrood diseases are two fungal diseases that can
lead to the collapse of the bee family. A symbiotic relationship with the microbe
Bombella apis is known to provide natural protection against fungal diseases, protecting
brood by secreting antifungal metabolites. Because phytopharmaceuticals can be
harmful to bees due to their nonspecific effects and eventually become ineffective due
to the development of tolerances, there is an increasing need for alternative solutions to
protect bees from pathogens. The fungi Fomes fomentarius, Ganoderma applanatum in
Trametes versicolor have been used as bee nutritional supplements and have been
shown to reduce Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) and Lake Sinai Virus (LSV) infections
in previous studies. In addition to biocontrol against the mite Varroa destructor,
entomopathogenic fungi also cause an enhanced immune response that helps the bee
defend itself. The directed evolution method was used to increase the thermotolerance
of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium. The research conducted opens new
possibilities for the use of biotechnology in the search for more environmentally
friendly protection of these important pollinators.
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