This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2015/jul/14/bees-infected-with-common-gut-parasite-work-less-and-die-younger-says-study

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bees infected with common gut parasite work less and die younger, says study Bees infected with common gut parasite work less and die younger, finds study
(about 1 hour later)
Bees infected with a common gut parasite work less, die younger and carry much less pollen than healthy bees, Queensland researchers have found.Bees infected with a common gut parasite work less, die younger and carry much less pollen than healthy bees, Queensland researchers have found.
The finding is significant for humans, given about a quarter of food production depends on honey bee pollination.The finding is significant for humans, given about a quarter of food production depends on honey bee pollination.
James Cook University researchers made the discovery after gluing tiny transmitters to the backs of 960 bees and then infecting half with a low dose of nosema spores, a gut parasite common among the adult insects.James Cook University researchers made the discovery after gluing tiny transmitters to the backs of 960 bees and then infecting half with a low dose of nosema spores, a gut parasite common among the adult insects.
“No one had looked at bees at this level before, to see what individual bees do when they are sick,” lead researcher Dr Lori Lach said.“No one had looked at bees at this level before, to see what individual bees do when they are sick,” lead researcher Dr Lori Lach said.
Related: Bees feeding on fungicide-dosed flowers develop health issues, studies sayRelated: Bees feeding on fungicide-dosed flowers develop health issues, studies say
The tagged bees were observed visiting hives and artificial flowers. Researchers found the bees infected with the gut parasite were 4.3 times less likely to be carrying pollen than uninfected bees, and carried less pollen when they were. They also found the sick insects started working later, stopped working sooner and died younger.The tagged bees were observed visiting hives and artificial flowers. Researchers found the bees infected with the gut parasite were 4.3 times less likely to be carrying pollen than uninfected bees, and carried less pollen when they were. They also found the sick insects started working later, stopped working sooner and died younger.
Lach said the research was vital to understanding how bees were affected by non-lethal stressors.Lach said the research was vital to understanding how bees were affected by non-lethal stressors.
The nosema apis parasite was long thought to be benign compared with other parasites and pathogens that infect honey bees, and it was the first time its effect on bee behaviour had been examined, she said.The nosema apis parasite was long thought to be benign compared with other parasites and pathogens that infect honey bees, and it was the first time its effect on bee behaviour had been examined, she said.
Lach said the real implications from this work were for humans.Lach said the real implications from this work were for humans.
“Declines in the ability of honey bees to pollinate will result in lower crop yields,” she said.“Declines in the ability of honey bees to pollinate will result in lower crop yields,” she said.