A collaborative study led by researchers from Canada and Iran has unveiled promising findings regarding the use of probiotic and prebiotic supplements to bolster honeybee survival rates during extreme temperature fluctuations. With beekeeping contributing an impressive $7 billion to Canada’s agricultural sector, the implications of this research are profound, particularly as the nation grapples with significant losses in bee populations each winter.
The State of Honeybee Populations in Canada
According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, honeybees generated approximately 84.1 million pounds of honey in 2025, placing the country as the 12th largest honey producer globally. However, the winter of 2024-25 was particularly devastating, with a staggering 39.3% of bee colonies perishing. The primary culprits behind these losses include parasitic mites, starvation, and extreme climate conditions. The survival of these vital pollinators is crucial, not only for honey production but also for the agricultural ecosystem at large.
A Promising Approach to Combat Losses
The research, recently published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One, indicates that administering probiotics—live beneficial bacteria—and prebiotics—non-digestible fibre compounds—could significantly enhance the resilience of honeybees against temperature extremes. Rassol Bahreini, a senior researcher from the University of Alberta, noted, “In Canada, we are focused on research to reduce winter mortality for beekeepers. In Iran, where the climate is hot, the challenge is the opposite.” This highlights the contrasting climate challenges faced by beekeepers in both countries.
Interestingly, while previous research has predominantly centred on winter-related losses, there is a growing recognition of the threats posed by rising summer temperatures, particularly as they affect honeybee health. Bees thrive at optimal temperatures around 35°C, but they face increasing danger when temperatures drop below 4°C or exceed 40°C.
Mechanisms Behind the Findings
The study’s findings revealed that honeybees treated with a sugar water solution enhanced with prebiotics and probiotics exhibited improved survival rates when exposed to varying temperatures, including 4°C, 15°C, 35°C, and 40°C. Notably, a higher concentration of these supplements correlated with better survival outcomes, suggesting that these additions may assist bees in energy conservation and temperature regulation.
While the precise mechanisms remain under investigation, it is believed that probiotics enhance nutrient absorption and digestion, thus allowing bees to utilise their energy more efficiently. Furthermore, these supplements may bolster the immune response of bees, providing crucial protection against infections that arise during periods of environmental stress.
Future Research Directions
Dr. Bahreini is set to explore whether these probiotic and prebiotic supplements can also mitigate the impacts of pesticides on bee survival in an upcoming paper. Leonard Foster, a honeybee researcher at the University of British Columbia, expressed interest in the broader applicability of these findings, particularly regarding other stressors such as drought. “It starts to look at how we can change how we’re managing bees in order to maybe mitigate some of the impacts of heat stress,” he stated.
Foster underscored that while both extreme heat and cold pose significant threats, cooler temperatures can be somewhat managed through techniques like insulating beehives. However, he expressed concern about the challenges posed by rising temperatures, which are harder to control and require urgent attention.
Why it Matters
The implications of this research extend far beyond the survival of honeybees; they touch on the fundamental health of our ecosystems and agricultural systems. As bees play a pivotal role in pollination, their decline poses a direct threat to food security and biodiversity. By potentially enhancing the resilience of these essential insects through the use of probiotics and prebiotics, we may be able to forge a path toward sustainable beekeeping practices that safeguard both honeybee populations and the agricultural landscapes they support. As climate change continues to reshape our environmental realities, innovative solutions like these will be crucial in ensuring the survival of not just bees, but the vitality of our entire ecosystem.
