Imaging Mass Spectrometry Reveals Molecular Changes in Honey Bees Infected with Nosema

Imaging mass spectrometry maps protein, lipid, and metabolite distributions in honey bees, revealing systemic effects of Nosema infection. It detects elevated Apidaecin in hemolymph and reduced Royalisin in heads of infected bees, indicating immune system disruption. The technique enables high-resolution spatial profiling across organs, including flight muscles and hypopharyngeal glands, and is applicable to other pollinators for stress-response protein signature discovery. Compatible with next-generation mass spectrometers, it supports high-throughput analysis and bridges visual and molecular pathology.