Analysis of Panels of Chemical Biomarkers in the Honeybee in Hemolymph and Fat Body in Response to Physiological and Environmental Factors

This review synthesizes current knowledge on chemical biomarker panels in the honeybee in a tissue-specific and factor-oriented framework. We show that these panels undergo predictable shifts under endogenous factors (age, caste) and environmental stressors, including mites, bacteria, fungi, viruses, pesticides, antibiotics, adulterated wax, nutritional deficits, and monodiets. These changes are particularly evident in the hemolymph and fat body and are assessed via markers of energy metabolism, enzymatic activities, oxidative stress, and lipid homeostasis. Because insects lack established clinical reference intervals, emphasis is placed on general trends and tissue interrelationships. Moreover, in the honeybee, patterns can at times be inverted relative to vertebrates for example, for enzymatic activities marker, where increased activity may indicate a beneficial effect on the organism. Research in bee ecophysiology is gaining prominence and aligns with contemporary understandings of global challenges.