qPCR data on candidate genes in Apis mellifera (Article: Honey Bee Immunological and Nutritional Responses in Two Contrasting Agroecosystems)

Abstract

Honey bee colonies are exposed to multiple environmental stressors, including nutritional limitation and parasitism by Varroa destructor, which can affect physiological responses linked to colony health. In this study, we evaluated the effects of protein supplementation and acaricide treatment on the expression of genes related to immunity, detoxification, and nutritional status in Apis mellifera colonies established in two contrasting agroecosystems of the Argentine Pampas: crop-dominated and livestock-dominated landscapes. Gene expression was analyzed by RT-qPCR in larvae, nurse bees, and forager guts for Abaecin, Vg, CYP9Q3, and CYP6AS4. Responses were tissue- and context-dependent. In larvae, protein supplementation increased detoxification-related gene expression in colonies from the livestock-dominated landscape, whereas contrasting patterns were observed in the crop-dominated landscape. In nurse bees, Vg expression varied according to supplementation, acaricide treatment and landscape. In foragers, Abaecin expression increased after acaricide treatment in supplemented colonies from the crop-dominated landscape, while detoxification genes varied with apiary location and treatment. Overall, our results indicate that honey bee molecular responses to nutritional and sanitary management vary according to environmental context, suggesting an association between landscape conditions and pollinator health.