[3] Transmission electron microscopy revealed hair like structures on the cellular envelope as well as suspected flagellae, which are also seen in other Bartonella species.

[5] Pathogenic Bartonellae are transmitted by biting arthropod vector, which in combination with genetic evidence, leads researchers to hypothesize that these strains evolved from insect gut symbionts.

[6][7] Some studies have shown that it may not always be present in every member of a hive at all times, and that there can be changes in its population level depending on season and forage type.

Like the bacteriome of other species, the gut bacteria of the honey bee are thought to respond to changes in diet as well as other environmental factors which are still under investigation.

[12] B. apis is also able to ferment carbohydrates under microaerophilic conditions, as well as play a role in nitrogenous waste recycling; important functions of gut symbionts seen in other insect species.