In a groundbreaking study, researchers have found that providing bees with absorbent bits of hydrogel significantly increases their chances of surviving exposure to toxic pesticides.
Bees are vital pollinators, contributing to the growth of both wild plants and commercially cultivated crops. However, the pollen they consume is often tainted with harmful chemicals, leading to severe consequences like colony collapse or acute mortality.
Previous research indicated that hydrogel particles, a soft and highly absorbent non-toxic material, could effectively bind to neonicotinoids—a class of pesticides that is largely banned in Europe but is still prevalent in the United States. This prompted scientists to explore whether these hydrogel particles could neutralize pesticides within the bodies of common eastern bumblebees (Bombus impatiens).
The researchers mixed microscopic hydrogel particles, which are small enough to pass through a bee’s digestive system without dispersing further, into a sugar solution. After the bees ingested this mixture, they were administered a high dose of pesticides. The results were striking: bees treated with hydrogel exhibited a 30% higher survival rate compared to those that did not receive the treatment.
When subjected to pesticide doses that affected their nervous systems without causing immediate death, the bees treated with hydrogels showed reduced symptoms. These bees demonstrated improved abilities to feed and move, along with a more vigorous wingbeat, indicating better overall health.
Although the hydrogel particles are eventually excreted by bees, meaning they would need continual re-treatment, this method holds promise for managed bee populations, such as those used in honey production and agricultural pollination.
Incorporating hydrogel particles into pollen patties or sucrose feeds—common nutritional supplements for managed bee colonies—could bolster their resilience against pesticide exposure. Researchers are optimistic that with this treatment, bees will be better equipped to navigate environments contaminated with harmful chemicals.
