Abstract: 【Aim】To explore the impact of the gut bacterial metabolite, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) on food intake behavior in honey bees. 【Methods】 Fed with normal sucrose solution in the control group and sucrose solution containing LPA in the treatment group, a honey bee (Apis mellifera ligustica) model supplemented with LPA was established. The food intake of the 6-day-old adults of A. mellifera ligustica was measured using both group-level feeding assay and individual-level feeding assay. The sensitivity of A. mellifera ligustica adults to food was evaluated using a food sensitivity test. Additionally, the weight of the head, thorax, abdomen and whole individual of A. mellifera ligustica adults was measured.【Results】 LPA reduced the food intake of A. mellifera ligustica adults at the group level. The group-level average daily food intake was 4.23 mL for the control group and 2.38 mL for the treatment group. LPA did not affect the food sensitivity of A. mellifera ligustica adults at the individual level or the intake of unpalatable food. The analysis of food intake at different hunger levels revealed that LPA blunted the hunger sensation in A. mellifera ligustica adults at the individual level. Even in a hungry state, the food intake of A. mellifera ligustica adults in the treatment group failed to reach the normal food intake level observed in the control group. Comparison of the weight of the head, thorax, abdomen, and whole individual of A. mellifera ligustica adults showed a significant decrease in weight due to reduced food intake caused by LPA. 【Conclusion】 LPA, the gut bacterial metabolite, inhibits food intake in the host A. mellifera ligustica adults, leading to a decrease in their body weight.

Key words: Apis mellifera ligustica, lysophosphatidic acid, feeding behaviour, bacteria, food intake