Experiment 6

Section 4: The effect of nutrition on honey bee health

Deliverable 4.2: Evaluation of protein-rich feeds on bee health

Implementing body of the Deliverable: PAGROTOP Laboratory, ELMEPA

Purpose of the experiment

In this experiment, the effect of different protein feeds on hive parameters was studied. Twelve colonies were selected and divided into four groups of three, in which pollen substitutes were provided using corn flour, pollen patties, and bee bread, while there were also three control colonies.

Conclusion

The results did not show any clear positive or negative effect of the protein-feeding interventions on population or brood. This could be explained only if the bees found abundant pollen in nature, which could occur in autumn when carob and ivy bloom, providing pollen to the bees.