Unraveling bumble bee venom composition

Venom is a dynamic and complex biofluid consisting of a unique mixture of proteins, peptides, and enzymes that act on the vital systems of preys or predators. While the primary function of venom is for predation, it can also be used for competition, reproduction, and defense. Bumble bees are unique for tolerating various climatic conditions due to their thermoregulatory mechanisms. Venom is an essential defensive tool for bumble bees and understanding factors influencing its composition is important for bumble bee health. In the first part of our study, we sought out to investigate the venom adaptation among bumble bee populations collected along an elevation gradient. Our findings in Western Swiss Alps particularly revealed that levels of key defensive venom toxins decrease from high to low elevations, in correlation with temperature and humidity of the study area. We are currently investigating this phenomenon further by analyzing the impact of elevation on the venom composition of North American bumble bees.