Bees with parasites are self-medicating in the wild.
Over recent years a lot of people have been trying to figure out why the bees are dying, but new research has shown how bees are self-medicating to rid themselves of parasites.
Parasites are a common cause of disease in bumblebees and honeybees, two species which have a vital role to play in plant pollination. Researchers had previously found that nectar containing nicotine and other natural chemicals in plants significantly reduce parasites in sick bees, but those same researchers have now found bees are already taking advantage of the natural chemicals in the wild.
Scientists at Dartmouth College believe the plant chemistry could help combat the decline of bee species.