Antimicrobials in Pollen Help Protect Bees

A study published in Frontiers in Microbiology confirmed that bees carry Streptomyces bacteria from flower pollen back to their hives, where it functions to inhibit mold and bacterial pathogens that can harm bees. The results suggest the potential for utilizing bioactive compounds to help keep honeybee hives healthy. They also suggest that a landscape rich in plant species is beneficial for bees, as it ensures a greater diversity of actinobacterial endophytes available to them.