Colonization of Honey Bee Digestive Tracts by Environmental Yeast Lachancea thermotolerans Is Naturally Occurring, Temperature Dependent, and Impacts the Microbiome of Newly Emerged Bees

Abstract

Although many fungal species are found in association with honey bees and their broader environment, the effects of these interactions on honey bee health are largely unknown. Here, we report the discovery that a yeast commonly found in the environment can be found at high levels in honey bee digestive tracts.