Engineered Superfood for Bees Leads to 15-Fold Increase in Colony Growth

What's Happening?

Researchers from the University of Oxford, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, University of Greenwich, and Technical University of Denmark have developed a bee 'superfood' using engineered yeast to produce essential sterols found in pollen. This lab-made diet resulted in colonies rearing up to 15 times more young than those on standard feeds. The study, published in Nature, addresses the decline in honeybee populations due to climate change and modern farming practices, which have reduced the variety of flowers bees rely on for nutrition.

Why It's Important?

Honeybees are vital pollinators for over 70% of global crops, and their decline poses a threat to food security and biodiversity. The engineered supplement offers a sustainable solution to enhance bee health and colony resilience without depleting natural floral resources. This breakthrough could significantly impact beekeeping businesses and food production, providing bees with a nutritionally complete diet that supports their growth and development.

What's Next?

Further large-scale field trials are needed to assess the long-term impacts of the supplement on colony health and pollination efficacy. The supplement could be available to farmers within two years, potentially expanding to other pollinators or farmed insects, opening new avenues for sustainable agriculture.