Carbon-rich micro-particles for protecting bees and overcoming colony collapse disorder
Inventors
SULIMAN, Waled • HOPKINS, Brandon • Garcia-Perez, Manuel
Assignees
Washington State University WSU
Publication Number
US-11607424-B2
Publication Date
2023-03-21
Expiration Date
2039-01-18
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Abstract
Compositions and methods for protecting bees from toxins and for preventing or decreasing colony collapse are provided. The compositions comprise carbon microparticles which, when ingested by bees, increase their survival after exposure to toxins such as pesticides.
Core Innovation
The invention provides compositions and methods for protecting bees from toxins, particularly pesticides, and for preventing or decreasing colony collapse. The core of the invention is a comestible composition comprising carbon-rich microparticles (CMPs) which are palatable and edible by bees and serve as a food source. When ingested, these CMPs act to detoxify pesticides or other toxins, thereby increasing the survival rates of bees exposed to such harmful substances.
The problem addressed is the lack of any practical, individual-level solution or physical product to protect bees from the deleterious effects of toxin and pesticide exposure. Bees are widely and chronically exposed to multiple toxic agrochemicals, which alone or in combination can have fatal or sublethal effects, ultimately leading to colony collapse disorder and threatening pollination services vital to agriculture and food security.
The invention offers food compositions containing CMPs, including carbonized bee pollen pellets or pollen grains, optionally functionalized with amino or nitro groups. Delivery methods include mixing CMPs with sugar, honey, proteins, or lipids to create solids, liquids, or semi-solids easily ingested by bees. Devices for dispensing such compositions are also provided, enabling placement in hives or fields. The approach specifically aims to increase individual bee health and survival after toxin exposure, thereby reducing the instances of colony collapse.
Claims Coverage
The patent claims one primary inventive feature relating to a method of preventing or treating bee intoxication using specially functionalized carbon-rich microparticles.
Comestible composition with surface-functionalized carbon-rich microparticles
The invention concerns a method of preventing or treating intoxication of a bee by providing a comestible composition comprising carbon-rich microparticles (CMPs), where the surface of the CMPs is functionalized with amino and/or nitro functional groups. - The CMPs can be carbonized bee pollen pellets or carbonized pollen grains. - The composition may include additional sources of nutrition, such as sugars, honey, proteins, or lipids. - The comestible composition can take the form of a liquid, semi-solid, or solid, and may be tailored for palatability and edibility by bees. - The method is suitable for bees exposed to herbicides, insecticides, and/or fungicides, including neonicotinoids like imidacloprid, acetamiprid, clothianidin, nitenpyram, nithiazine, thiamethoxam, or thiacloprid. - The invention specifies that the functionalization of the CMPs (amino and/or nitro functional groups) is a key feature.
The claims focus on providing bees with a food composition containing amino and/or nitro-functionalized carbon-rich microparticles to prevent or treat intoxication caused by exposure to toxins, particularly pesticides.
Stated Advantages
The compositions detoxify pesticides and other toxins within the bee digestive system, increasing bee survival rates after toxin exposure.
The method reduces the harmful impact of pesticide ingestion by bees, resulting in improved individual bee health and increased survival.
Occurrences of colony collapse are decreased by improving bee resilience to toxin exposure.
The composition passes through bee digestive systems without causing harm, behavioral changes, or negative effects on activity.
The method is practical and can be implemented individually with comestible compositions accessible to bees in different environments.
Documented Applications
Protecting bees, particularly honey bees and Apis mellifera, from the deleterious effects of pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides.
Preventing or treating colony collapse disorder (CCD) in bee colonies by feeding bees compositions comprising carbon-rich microparticles.
Maintaining or increasing pollination of crops that rely on bees, including almond, apple, canola, berries, squash, and many others explicitly listed in the patent.
Providing devices or feeders containing the comestible carbon-rich microparticle compositions for bees in hives, orchards, or near crops.
Use for other managed and desirable insect populations in the superfamily Apoidea and other pollinators impacted by pesticide intoxication.
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