Diet quality affects honey bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) mortality under laboratory conditions

Abstract

Poor food quality is likely to be detrimental to the lifespan of Apis mellifera. The objective of this study was to evaluate comparatively the effects of a mainly carbohydrate substitute sugar patty, a pollen substitute (both Mann Lake Ltd. products), and bee bread produced by the bees on worker longevity. Sugar patty ensured the longest bee survival, similar to that with the addition of 5% bee bread, whereas adding 5% or higher pollen substitute increased bee mortality.

Keywords:

• sugar patty
• bee bread
• bioassays
• protein supplement

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was financially supported by the Program: Research for improvement of safe food and health, P1-0164.