Prof. Becky Irwin, Dr. Leif Richardson and other researchers in the Irwin Lab, have found that some compounds in floral nector reduce parasite loads in bees 60%-80%. While the reduction in parasite load did not increase survival rates, these compounds could confer a benefit to bee colonies by reducing the spread of parasites. These findings were highlighted in the February 26, 2015 issue of Nature.
Leif L. Richardson , Lynn S. Adler , Anne S. Leonard , Jonathan Andicoechea , Karly H. Regan , Winston E. Anthony , Jessamyn S. Manson , Rebecca E. Irwin. Secondary metabolites in floral nectar reduce parasite infections in bumblebees. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 2015 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2014.2471
To read the full journal artice in the Proceedings of the Royal Society of London B, please click here.