PoshBee Project: Agrochemical and Pathogen Impacts on Honey Bee Health

Honey bee health under stress: PoshBee project assesses interactions between agrochemicals (azoxystrobin, coumaphos, glyphosate, sulfoxaflor) and pathogens (Varroa destructor, Paenibacillus larvae, Nosema ceranae) across five European countries. Field-realistic concentrations were tested on various life stages, revealing complex effects on mortality, development, survival, and gene expression. Key findings include reduced survival with coumaphos-sulfoxaflor combinations, increased mite mortality with certain chemicals, and altered immune responses. The study highlights the importance of native subspecies (A, M, C lineages) and informs policy on agrochemical use to protect pollinators.