Colonization of Honey Bee Digestive Tracts by Environmental Yeast Is Naturally Occurring, Temperature Dependent, and Impacts the Microbiome of Newly Emerged Bees.

Honey bees are critical pollinators in both agricultural and ecological settings. Recent declines in honey bee colonies in the United States have put increased strain on agricultural pollination. Although there are many environmental stressors implicated in honey bee disease, there has been intensifying focus on the role of microbial attacks on honey bee health.