Real-time volatilomics reveals microbiota and pathogen fingerprints in the honey bee.

Single-bee volatilomics using SESI-HRMS can distinguish honey bees based on their gut microbiota and detect pathogen infection through specific volatile compounds.

• Why it matters: Understanding the microbiota-host relationship and pathogen detection in honey bees is crucial for pollinator health and ecosystem stability, but current methods are invasive and limited in scope.
• What they did: The study employed SESI-HRMS to analyze volatile organic compounds emitted by individual honey bees, comparing microbiota-dependent profiles and pathogen-infected versus uninfected bees, validated with LC-HRMS.
• The result: Distinct volatilome profiles linked to microbiota and infection status were identified, including elevated compounds like butane-2,3-diol in infected bees, suggesting potential for non-invasive, field-ready diagnostic tools.