Extracts of Polypore Mushroom Mycelia Reduce Viruses in Honey Bees

A team of scientists from Washington State University headed by Steve Sheppard, the USDA, and Paul Stamets of Fungi Perfecti, reported in October 2018 that a mushroom extract fed to honeybees greatly reduces virus levels.

In field trials, colonies fed mycelium extract from amadou and reishi fungi showed a 79‑fold reduction in deformed wing virus and a 45,000‑fold reduction in Lake Sinai virus compared to control colonies. The hope is that the results of this research will help dwindling honeybee colonies fight viruses, that are known to play a role in colony collapse disorder.

Though it’s in the early stages of development, the researchers see great potential in this research.