Carbon-rich micro-particles for protecting bees and overcoming colony collapse disorder (CCD)

Unmet Need: Protection of honeybees from the effects of pesticides.

The total economic value of honey bee pollination worldwide has been estimated to be around 10% of the global food production. Pesticides are a serious hazard to the honey bee industry, contributing to recent declines in honey bee colonies. The health of a honeybee has harmful effects after consumption of contaminated nectar or exposure to pesticides and/or other chemicals. At sub-lethal levels of pesticides, for example, honeybees develop abnormal behavior, foraging failure, and abnormal physiology, which negatively impacts the overall health of the colony.

The Technology: Use of carbon-rich micro-particles for treatment and prevention of harmful effects on honeybees.

WSU inventors have developed compositions and methods for the treatment and prevention of the adverse effects of agro-chemicals on honeybees using uniquely designed carbon-rich micro-particles (CMPs). CMPs which are orally administered, increase the health of honeybees that have been exposed to pesticides and/or other chemicals.

Applications:

• Cleanse and detoxify the digestive system of honeybees that have been exposed to toxic chemicals present in contaminated nectar or released from contaminated pollen grains.

Advantages:

• CMPs can be delivered orally and can pass through the digestive system of honeybees with no harmful side effects.

• Honeybees treated with CMPs showed a 5% increase in survival rate.

Patent Information:

US Patent Pending.