Short-term dietary phytochemicals extend the longevity of eastern honey bees (Apis cerana [Hymenoptera: Apidae])

Abstract The past decades have been characterized by a dramatic decline in Apis cerana Fabricius (Hymenoptera: Apidae) populations in Asia, profoundly impacting ecological integrity and agricultural production. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop strategies to improve the survival of A. cerana for safe pollination. Phytochemicals, such as quercetin and p-coumaric acid, which are abundant in pollen and nectar, have been shown to contribute toward the health of pollinators. In this study, we hypothesized that short-term dietary quercetin and p-coumaric acid could affect the survival and behaviour of A. cerana workers. The results showed that while short-term treatments with these phytochemicals for 1 and 3 d had no effect on the lifespan of A. cerana workers (P > 0.05), a 5-d short-term treatment with quercetin (151.2 and 75.6 mg/liter) and p-coumaric acid (82.0 mg/liter) significantly prolonged worker longevity by 3.07 (P < 0.001), 3.77 (P < 0.001), and 3.28 d (P < 0.001), respectively, compared to the controls. Dietary quercetin did not affect sucrose responsiveness or olfactory learning (P > 0.05). However, treatment with p-coumaric acid (164.0 mg/liter and treatment for 1 d) impaired sucrose responsiveness in workers (P < 0.001). Our study demonstrates that short-term dietary phytochemicals prolong the longevity of A. cerana, providing new insights into the potential of phytochemicals for supporting pollinator health. Considering the detrimental effects of phytochemicals on A. cerana behavior, future research should assess the safety of adding single or multiple phytochemicals to an artificial diet for pollinators.