Influence of spring feed on the strength of honey bee colonies during spring development

B Andjelkovic,M Mladenovic,M Petrovic,G Jevtic,T Vasic

doi:10.2298/bah1104757a

Abstract

The strength of honey bee colonies during year depends on wintering and on biologic development of colonies during spring period. To ensure satisfactory colony development in spring period, it is necessary to add stimulative feed. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of different types of spring feed on the honey bee colony strength. Twenty honey bee colonies were selected for this experiment. Colonies were divided into five groups, and each group received different stimulative feed. The first group was fed with sugar syrup, and the second with sugar syrup with added microelements and with vitamin complex. The third group received sugar candy without additives, and the fourth group received sugar candy with addition of microelements and vitamins. The fifth group was fed with honey. The experiment was conducted on the apiary of the Institute for forage crops in Krusevac.

Highlights

The main food for honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are pollen and honey
Pollen represents the main source of protein, fat, vitamins and minerals in the honeybee diet
It is necessary to add nutrients to stimulate development of young worker bees as many studies show that pollen is necessary for full development of hypopharyngeal glands in young bees

Summary

Introduction

The main food for honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) are pollen and honey. Pollen represents the main source of protein, fat, vitamins and minerals in the honeybee diet. It is necessary to add nutrients to stimulate development of young worker bees as many studies show that pollen is necessary for full development of hypopharyngeal glands in young bees. These glands secrete jelly and royal jelly required by honeybee larvae (Maurizio, 1950; Standifer et al, 1960). This indirect relationship of pollen-derived nutrients to larval development has been demonstrated by many investigators over the past 40 years (Langer, 1931; Haydak, 1970; Dietz, 1975)

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