Impacts of new artificial diets on activity and strength development of Apis mellifera honey bee colonies

Abstract

One of the chronic problems that pose a serious threat for honey beesˈ continuity and survival is pollen and nectar deficiency caused by annual weather fluctuations. The current study aims to find an effective solution for this problem by providing honey bee colonies with diets characterized by appropriate cost, nutritional rich value, palatability and positive impacts on various biological activities. Three new artificial diets were prepared, diet W: based on wheat germ, diet S: based on soya beans and diet M: based on a mixture of equal proportions of wheat germ and soya beans. In the current study, several investigations have been performed including consumption rates of examined diets, sealed worker brood, stored honey areas, coloniesˈ strengths and pollen grainsˈ weights. Outstanding palatability rates were reported for examined diets, especially for diet S. Moreover, distinguished impacts for all investigated diets have been recorded by fed colonies, including sealed brood areas, produced honey areas, population densities and collected pollen. Consequently, the current study highly recommend diets W, S and M to be applied in apiaries due to their prominent results related to activity and strength development of honey bee colonies.