The influence of dietary protein and lipid nutrients on bee-gut parasite interactions

Bees are important for biodiversity and food security; responsible for pollinating 30% food
crops globally (Khalifa et al., 2021). There are around 250 wild bee species in the UK,
including solitary bee species and 24 bumblebee species (Woodcock et al., 2016). Pollinator
populations are declining due to many interacting stressors including poor nutrition from
habitat loss, pesticide use, disease, and parasites (Goulson et al., 2015).

Domesticated honeybee and bumblebee populations may drive the spread of parasites and
their associated diseases in wild bee populations through facilitation, spill over and spillback
of parasites (Graystock et al., 2016). Honeybees and bumblebees are host to a range of
parasites. Intestinal parasites such as the trypanosomatid, Crithidia bombi and
microsporidians like Nosema ceranae have been implicated in the decline of wild and
domesticated bee populations (Brown, 2017).