Date of Award
5-2024
Degree Type
Masters Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
School
Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences
Committee Chair
Dr. Shahid Karim
Committee Chair School
Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences
Committee Member 2
Dr. Fengwei Bai
Committee Member 2 School
Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences
Committee Member 3
Dr. Mohamed Alburaki
Committee Member 3 School
Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences
Committee Member 4
Dr. John Adamczyk
Committee Member 4 School
Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences
Abstract
Honey bees are incredibly important for the reproduction of flowering plants and the sustainability of agricultural ecosystems. However, they face various stressors such as pesticides, pathogens, habitat loss, and climate change. Extensive research has been conducted to understand how bees respond to these stressors. Scientists have discovered that honey bees exhibit complex physiological and behavioral responses to stress at individual and colony levels. Stress can have a significant impact on their immune function, foraging behavior, and reproductive success (Decourtye et al., 2010). Understanding bee responses to stress is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, honey bees are vital for the pollination of numerous crops, contributing significantly to global food production (Aizen et al., 2008). Declines in honey bee populations due to stress can have far-reaching consequences for food security and ecosystem stability (Vanbergen 2013). Secondly, honey bee declines also have broader implications for biodiversity, as they play a key role in maintaining plant diversity and ecosystem resilience (Winfree et al., 2009). Moreover, honey bees serve as valuable model organisms for studying stress biology and resilience mechanisms in social insects (Winston 1937). Insights gained from honey bee research can inform conservation efforts of sustainable pest management strategies (Johnson and Ellis, 2010). In conclusion, this research on honey bee responses to stress underscores the critical need to protect pollinator populations and mitigate anthropogenic stressors. By integrating knowledge from biochemical, physiological, and ecological perspectives, scientists can inform conservation efforts and promote sustainable beekeeping practices to safeguard honey bee populations and the ecosystems they support.
ORCID ID
0000-0002-7166-5355
Copyright
2024, Faizan Tahir
Recommended Citation
Tahir, Faizan, "Molecular Characterization of Stress Response in Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)" (2024). Master's Theses. 1031.
https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/1031