Bees have been observed foraging directly on mushroom mycelium in the wild — a behavior that led researchers to investigate whether fungi offer bees more than just an occasional snack. Here's what the science actually shows.
Mycelium Extracts and Honey Bee Viruses
The most significant study in this space comes from a 2018 collaboration between Washington State University, the USDA, and mycologist Paul Stamets, published in the journal Scientific Reports (Nature). Researchers tested extracts from polypore mushroom mycelium — including amadou and reishi species — on honey bee colonies.
The results: colonies fed the mycelium extract showed a 79-fold reduction in Deformed Wing Virus (DWV) and a 45,000-fold reduction in Lake Sinai Virus (LSV) compared to untreated colonies. Both viruses are strongly linked to colony collapse and winter losses. The research team, led by WSU entomology professor Steve Sheppard, suggested the extract may work by boosting bees' immune response rather than attacking the virus directly.
Source: Stamets, P.E., Naeger, N.L., Evans, J.D., et al. "Extracts of Polypore Mushroom Mycelia Reduce Viruses in Honey Bees." Scientific Reports 8, 13936 (2018). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-32194-8
Gut Health, Probiotics, and Colony Performance
A growing body of research separately supports the role of gut microbiota in bee health. A 2024 study in Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology found that diets supporting beneficial gut bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus were linked to stronger immune function through natural antimicrobial compound production.
Similarly, a 2024 study in Microorganisms found that pollen substitute diets enriched with probiotics improved gut microbiota balance in honey bees, and was associated with better survival rates, colony strength, and hypopharyngeal gland development (which affects a colony's ability to produce brood food).
A 2024 review in Frontiers in Bee Science also proposed that microbial supplementation may influence bee behavior via a gut-brain connection, affecting things like foraging and hygienic behaviors relevant to overall colony health.
Sources: "Dietary modulation of gut microbiota and functional enzymes in savannah honey bees." Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology (2025). — "The Improving Effects of Probiotic-Added Pollen Substitute Diets on the Gut Microbiota and Individual Health of Honey Bee." Microorganisms 12(8):1567 (2024). — Killam, S.M., et al. "A case for microbial therapeutics to bolster colony health and performance of honey bees." Frontiers in Bee Science 2 (2024).
What This Means for Feed The Hive
Our mushroom mycelium bee patties are formulated with this research in mind — combining mycelium with a nutrient base designed to support gut health, immune function, and colony resilience through every season. We're a small operation, not a research lab, and we don't claim our patties are a substitute for proper varroa management or good beekeeping practice. But we believe in feeding hives with ingredients backed by real science, not just tradition or guesswork.
This page summarizes published, peer-reviewed research on mushroom mycelium and honey bee health. It is provided for educational purposes and does not constitute a specific health claim about Feed The Hive products, which have not been independently lab-tested against these studies.