Evaluating the chemical and microbiomic profiles of larval drone food

Apis mellifera, the Western honey bee, has been extensively studied with a primary emphasis on the female colony members, particularly queens and workers. However, our knowledge regarding male honey bee (drones) health as well as their role in colony longevity remains limited. From previous works, it is understood that changes in nutrition can impact reproductive and metabolic functions within female caste members. Currently, however, little is known about the nutrition drones receive during their development and the long-term impacts it place on drone health. Understanding the influence of nutrition on drone larval development and long-term well-being is a significant research gap. Therefore, investigating the chemical and microbiomic profiles of drone food is essential for identifying key dietary components necessary for ensuring optimal drone health and enhancing overall colony fitness. In this study, we focused on the nutritive components of drone and worker food that are vital for drone larval development, with a specific emphasis on analyzing the chemical and microbial profiles. By employing Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) to construct chemical profiles of the food and conducting genomic analyses to identify key microbiota present in the samples, we examined food samples collected at each larval instar from five colonies situated in an apiary in Indianapolis, IN. Our findings shed light on the significance of drone nutrition for maintaining drone health and provide a solid foundation for future research on this understudied caste member, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of honey bee colony dynamics.