Bee semen antibodies could protect hives from sexually transmitted disease

Australian scientists say discovery shows honeybees have a sophisticated immune system and could possibly be bred to be resistant to specific pathogens

Scientists have discovered antibodies in bee semen that could help protect commercial hives from a potentially deadly sexually transmitted disease.

The immune proteins, which protect queen bees from the fungus after mating, were identified by researchers at the Western Australian Centre for Integrative Bee Research.