2. Academic Validation
  3. Gut microbiota modulates aversive learning and memory of honeybees (Apis mellifera)

Gut microbiota modulates aversive learning and memory of honeybees (Apis mellifera)

  • Nat Commun. 2025 Dec 18;16(1):11196. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-67586-8.
Wangjiang Feng # 1,  Li Zhang # 1,  Jing Li # 2 3,  Pingli Dai 1,  Danyang Zhao 4,  David C Lyon 5,  Tong An 1,  Hongyang Zhao 1,  Yuan Ge 6 7,  Yong-Jun Liu 8
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China.
  • 2 State Key Laboratory of Regional and Urban Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
  • 3 University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
  • 4 College of Grassland Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China.
  • 5 Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
  • 6 State Key Laboratory of Regional and Urban Ecology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. [email protected].
  • 7 University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China. [email protected].
  • 8 State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China. [email protected].
  • # Contributed equally.
PMID: 41413037 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-67586-8
Abstract

Growing evidence indicates that host behaviors are regulated by the gut-brain interaction. In honeybees (Apis mellifera), a critical defensive behavior is the STING extension reflex. However, it remains unclear how the gut microbiota affects aversive learning and memory of this behavior. Here we demonstrate that the normal gut microbiota contributes to aversive learning and memory of the STING extension reflex in honeybees. Metabolomics analysis reveals that the gut microbiota affects tyrosine metabolism of the gut and hemolymph. Oral reintroduction of Enterococcus faecium or Enterococcus faecalis restores aversive learning and memory of microbiota-free honeybees, with an increase in their brain dopamine levels by supplying exogenous tyrosine. Conversely, applying fluphenazine, which decreases brain dopamine levels, weakens aversive learning and memory of honeybees in normal hives. These findings provide insights into the role of gut bacteria in regulating aversive learning and memory in honeybees, highlighting beneficial effects of the gut microbiota on the cognitive behaviors of social insects.

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