Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed an innovative method to combat bacterial diseases in fruit crops by using bumblebees as delivery agents for bacteriophages—viruses that specifically target bacteria. This novel approach aims to reduce reliance on traditional chemical treatments, which can require multiple applications and may have unintended environmental impacts.

The technique involves encouraging native British buff-tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris audax) to walk through a powder-filled tube containing specially formulated bacteriophages as they exit their hives. The bees pick up the phage powder on their bodies, similar to how they collect pollen during pollination. When the bees visit flowers, the bacteriophages are transferred directly onto the blossoms, enabling targeted delivery of the viruses to areas affected by bacterial infection.

In controlled experiments involving both real and artificial cherry blossoms, this method resulted in successful phage transfer to up to 88 percent of the flowers. Subsequent analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in bacterial populations on the treated flowers, indicating the potential effectiveness of this bio-delivery system.

Mojgan Rabiey, a plant pathologist involved in the study at the Warwick Crop Centre, highlighted the benefits of using bacteriophages in this manner. She noted that phages are natural bacterial predators, and their combination with bumblebees—natural pollinators—offers a precise and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional crop protection strategies. According to Rabiey, this approach could help growers safeguard fruit crops more efficiently while minimizing the drawbacks associated with chemical treatments.

The findings have been published in the journal Biological Control, marking a promising advancement in sustainable agricultural practices that leverage natural biological interactions to protect crops.