Beehives have built-in immune systems with layers of defense against pathogens

Researchers at the University of Sydney and NSW Department of Primary Industries analyzed samples from 24 European honeybee colonies and found that antimicrobial defenses are layered throughout the hive—from the entrance through wax comb, pollen, brood, and individual bee guts—with stronger, more targeted defenses against bacterial pathogens like Paenibacillus larvae closer to the colony center, while environmentally exposed surfaces like propolis display broader antimicrobial profiles.