Bees buzzing and tasting the "superfood" developed in a Colombian lab. Source: via Noticias Telemundo
Colombian scientists have developed a special food supplement they hope can protect bees as their population contends with a decline.
State of play: Bees are key pollinators for up to a third of all the world's food supply.ย
Every winter on average about 18% of colonies are lost, according to a 2020 study from 37 countries.
The "superfood" developed by these scientists is meant to counteract the effect on bees of pesticide use, though they say initial findings suggest it can also protect them against parasites.
What they're saying: "After bees ingest (the supplement) they have slight physiological improvements that prep them so that, if they come in contact with pesticides, they can detox faster," Andre J. Riveros, a professor at Bogotรก's Rosario University, tells Noticias Telemundo.