BEE CSI?

Every contact leaves a trace. In a recently published paper from a collaboration lead by meta-geneticist Dr. Solenn Patalano, Greek scientists outlined a way to identify and use trace DNA in honey. Although this may seem like just another quality test, the outlined methodology identifies the sources of both floral honey and non-floral honeydew and flags up any tell tale signs of pathogens, fungi and even parasites like Varroa from eDNA traces that contacts leave behind.

“In the future, this work might also have very important implications for humans. If we want to ensure ecosystem services, such as fruit and vegetable pollination, while maintaining species biodiversity, we also need to safeguard bee health. Our challenge is to build biomonitoring strategies in order to identify the fittest ecological niches for all pollinators”, concluded Dr. Patalano.

Physics. org – May, 2022