Fresh off the press, this new article highlights the conjectural nature of our understanding of insect microbes. Further, they point out the obvious, that stress can cause disruption in microbial systems. In other words, stress - as we already know - is harmful. 

Excerpts for review purposes only:

The multitude of factors influencing bee health represents a
major challenge for management. However, an important
factor in bee health _could be_ the characteristic gut
microbiota; thus, these bacteria are a focus for probiotic
applications. So far, there are only limited data available
about how the diversity and dynamics of these microbial
communities might affect gut homeostasis and health of
the host. 

A survey of the microbial communities of CCD hives and 
normal hives revealed _potential minor differences_
in the relative abundance of bacterial phylotypes
associated with adult worker bees of A. mellifera,
although limited sampling did not allow statistical testing
of these differences (Cox-Foster et al., 2007). 

a more extensive survey of microorganisms associated with
healthy and CCD bee colonies found that CCD bees had
higher levels of a variety of pathogens and parasites but
_no clear change in the gut microbiota_ (Cornman et al.,
2012). 

_Dysbiosis of the community due to environmental stress 
could thus result in a higher susceptibility of the host_
 
Engel, P., & Moran, N. A. (2013). The gut microbiota of insects–diversity in structure and function. FEMS microbiology reviews.

Article first published online: 17 JUN 2013

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