![]() ![]() The fact is, honey bees store and process their collected pollen very differently from the bees that eat microbial meat. In fact, honey bees were conspicuously absent from these studies, and for good reason. Although a novel and highly relevant discovery, “Bees Need Meat” was NOT about honey bees. ![]() However, I recommend that you stop short of replacing your pollen substitute with probiotic hamburger. After all, there are thousands of pollinating bee species, and microbes are essential to nearly every life process. As a devout microbial ecologist, I wholeheartedly embrace a future wherein agriculture accounts for microbial factors across the landscape including flowers, water sources, soil, natural systems, and all pollinators, including honey bees. While it seems bizarre to consider bees eating meat, this news release aspired to awaken the world to the vital connection between ALL pollinators, agriculture and microbes. It goes on to say that microbes are basically “meat”, and microbiome changes caused by various environmental and agricultural factors could be starving the insects. My personal favorite: “Bees Need Meat”, explains that microbes in flowers are a crucial part of the bee diet. Like an invasion of “Murder Hornets”, it must buzz the public ear. However, when that same piece of work becomes a news release or popular article, it is typically painted with a more colorful brush. When a scientific manuscript is sent for peer-review, the author must target a general science audience by placing the work in context. Scientists learn how to present their findings clearly, and must eventually sell their ideas forward to maintain future funding. Reasonable context in science comes from experimental design, statistical application, and the ability of the scientist/author to construct a reality sandwich from the meat of new results and the bread of present knowledge. Stack this atop the highfalutin’ superorganism (AKA: honey bees) and yep, information can become a sticky swarming mess. The culture of science has placed a premium on novelty, but the revision process is often slow, and hampered by context that is difficult to interpret. The process of science involves new discoveries and continuous revision. ![]()
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