Opportunities for insecticide resistant honey bees for pollination security (PH22000)

This project explored the potential use of emerging genetic engineering technologies to introduce beneficial traits into European Honey bees (Apis mellifera). Specifically, the goal was to engineer Honey bees resistant to major horticultural insecticides and Varroa mites (Varroa destructor) - a critical step toward improving bee health and mitigating challenges in their natural habitats 

Challenge 

Honey bees provide essential pollination services for many economically significant crops in Australia, with these crops contributing an estimated $5 billion to the economy. Maintaining healthy bee populations is therefore important to the economic health of many Australian communities and to ensure food security. However, Honey bees face several challenges, including:  

Pesticides are a leading cause of Honey bee losses, causing lethal and sublethal effects that harm colony health and performance. Pesticides can also interact with eachother, amplifying their harmful impacts, posing a serious threat to bee populations and pollination services.  

Response  

The project evaluated the background knowledge, technical feasibility, industry, stakeholder and public perceptions, environmental impacts, and regulatory framework for genetically engineering Honey bees for insecticide resistance. 

The study confirmed that advanced genetic engineering technologies, such as CRISPR/Cas9, could enable targeted genetic modifications in Honey bees, supporting their resistance to specific pesticides, while aligning with Australia’s gene technology regulation.  

Benefit  

Pesticide-resistant Honey bees allow farmers to control pests and beekeepers to manage Varroa mites promptly and effectively without harming bee populations. Pollination will be maintained, reducing impacts on crop productivity. The threat that pesticide drift from adjacent farms will also be reduced, and hives infected with varroa mites can be treated with pesticides without negatively impacting the bees.  

Overall, the study revealed a promising future for genetic engineering in Honey bees, with the potential to address critical challenges and secure pollination services for Australia’s horticultural industries. The approach also aligns with regulatory standards and public interest, paving the way for industry-relevant genetic improvements.