How honey bee hives use natural chemical defences to fight disease

Honey bee colonies use honey, propolis and pollen to control harmful microbes, while local plants may shape the chemical strength of their natural defences.

Open a honey bee hive on a warm afternoon, and the first thing you’ll notice is movement. Thousands of bees stream across the frames, tending brood, processing nectar and pollen, building wax, and maintaining the colony. A constant hum of activity an... [4552 chars]