**
In a groundbreaking study co-authored by researchers from Canada and Iran, the use of probiotic and prebiotic supplements has emerged as a promising method to enhance honeybee survival rates, particularly in the face of extreme temperature fluctuations. The findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One, highlight the critical need for innovative solutions to combat the alarming decline in bee populations, which play an essential role in global agriculture.
The Economic Importance of Honeybees
Honeybees are indispensable to agriculture, contributing approximately $7 billion in harvest value across Canada, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. In 2025, Canadian beekeepers produced an impressive 84.1 million pounds of honey, positioning the nation as the twelfth-largest honey producer globally. However, the health of honeybee colonies is under severe threat, with a staggering loss of 39.3 per cent of colonies reported for the winter of 2024-25, primarily due to parasitic infestations, starvation, and extreme weather conditions.
Probiotics and Prebiotics: A Lifeline for Bees
The recent study suggests that administering probiotic and prebiotic supplements can significantly mitigate these losses by improving the resilience of honeybees against harsh temperatures. Probiotics are beneficial live bacteria that enhance gut health, while prebiotics are indigestible fibre compounds that serve as nourishment for these bacteria.
Rassol Bahreini, a senior researcher at the University of Alberta and one of the authors of the study, explained how the climatic challenges faced in Canada and Iran differ drastically. “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,” he noted, illustrating the unique pressures that beekeepers experience in diverse regions.
The Impact of Temperature on Bee Health
As global temperatures continue to rise, the stress on honeybee populations is becoming increasingly precarious. The optimal temperature for honeybees hovers around 35°C, with bees facing severe risks when conditions drop below 4°C or exceed 40°C. The study demonstrates that bees provided with sugar water enriched with probiotics and prebiotics exhibited enhanced survival rates when exposed to varying temperatures, suggesting a potential strategy to improve colony health.
While the precise mechanisms by which these supplements bolster bee survival remain to be fully understood, the research indicates that probiotics may enhance the bees’ energy conservation, enabling them to focus on regulating their body temperature more effectively. Moreover, the study posits that these supplements could bolster the bees’ immune responses, offering vital protection during stressful conditions.
Future Research Directions
Dr. Bahreini is set to explore whether the benefits of probiotic and prebiotic supplements extend to improving bee survival against pesticide exposure in forthcoming research. Leonard Foster, a honeybee researcher at the University of British Columbia who was not directly involved in the study, expressed enthusiasm about the implications of these findings. “It starts to look at how we can change how we’re managing bees in order to mitigate some of the impacts of heat stress,” he stated.
While strategies exist to safeguard bees from colder temperatures—such as insulating hives—Foster highlighted the growing concern regarding rising heat levels. “The direction that is more worrisome for most people right now is the higher temperatures. Those we have a harder time controlling,” he remarked.
Why it Matters
The survival of honeybees is critical not only for ecological balance but also for global food security. As climate change exacerbates the challenges faced by these vital pollinators, innovative solutions like probiotic and prebiotic supplementation could offer a lifeline. The findings of this study underscore the urgent need for ongoing research and adaptive management strategies that support honeybee health, ensuring their continued contribution to agriculture and biodiversity in an increasingly unpredictable climate.
