Bees May Be Killing the Plants They Feed From
New research suggests that Western honeybees in Australia may be contributing to the spread of myrtle rust, a harmful fungal blight. The bees, initially introduced for pollination, have been observed foraging from infected flowers and potentially acting as disease vectors. This interaction raises concerns about a feedback loop where bees inadvertently aid in the destruction of the plants they rely on for survival.
- ▪Myrtle rust, a fungal blight, threatens up to 17 percent of Australia's flora.
- ▪Research shows that honeybees are foraging from rust-infected flowers and carrying spores back to their hives.
- ▪Half of the bees studied returned with myrtle-rust spores, and 45 percent of pollen storage cells were contaminated.
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