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Development of an Artificial Pollen Substitute/Supplement Diet to Help Tide

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Vol. 55 No. 2 2011 Journal of Apicultural Science 15

Development of an Artificial Pollen

Substitute/Supplement Diet to Help Tide the Colonies
of Honeybee (Apis mellifera L.) Over the Dearth Season

R a m C . Sihag, M a n i s h a G u p t a

Laboratory of Apidology, Department of Zoology and Aquaculture,

CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar-125004, India
Tel. +91 1662 289230
e-mail : sihagrc@rediffmail.com
Received 12 January 2011; Accepted 25 May 2011

S u m m a r y
Four pulses readily available in India viz. soybean (Glycine max L. Merr.), mungbean
(Vigna radiata L. Wilczek), chick pea (Cicer arietinum L.) and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L. Mill SP)
were used for the preparation of artificial diets to feed colonies of honeybee (Apis mellifera L.)
during the dearth period. Three formulations viz. solid, semi- solid and semi- liquid (slurry)
were prepared by mixing the different ingredients in water. Such artificial diets were given within
the hives and their consumption by the colonies was tested. Their effect on various attributes
of the colonies viz. unsealed/uncapped brood (cm2) sealed/capped brood (cm2), honeybee strength
(in terms of number of frames covered by the bees), and pollen and honey stores (cm2) were recorded.
The data on the preference of honeybees for the four pulses and three formulations showed that
soybean was the most preferred. Likewise, semi-liquid (slurry) was found to be the most acceptable
/preferred among the three formulations. Between the pollen supplement and substitute diets,
the former proved to be better than the latter. The former diet could induce the colonies
to continuously produce and rear more brood, and forage for more pollen and nectar. Colonies fed
on the pollen supplement diet had more bee strength than the colonies provided with the polllen
substitute diet. The control colonies could only be boarder line maintained.
Keywords: Honeybee, Apis mellifera, colony, artificial feeding, brood, honey, pollen, pollen
supplement, pollen substitute.

Introduction All good beekeeping conditions can be

Honeybees are known producers of
honey, royal jelly, propolis and bees wax
as well as bee venom. They are primarily
instrumental in increasing the productivity
of a number of agricultural crops through
cross pollination (McGregor, 1976;
Sihag, 1986; Free, 1993). Apart from
increasing the yield of different crops,
they have been found to significantly
improve the quality of seeds/fruits. Of
late, beekeeping has been recognized as
one of the essential inputs in agriculture
(Sihag, 2001). But, the success of
beekeeping in a region depends upon the
prevailing climatic conditions, availability
of bee forage, and management practices.
nullified if the management of an apiary
is faulty or poorly planned. Management
even within a short distance may vary
widely depending on climatic and floristic
conditions. Management of bee colonies
in a particular region is, therefore, a very
important aspect that a beekeeper should
carefully attend to for higher honey
production and pollination of crops.
The European honeybee (Apis mellifera)
was introduced in Haryana (India) in 1982
and most of the management practices
of this honey bee have now been
standardized (Sihag, 1990a,b; 1991).
Nonetheless, efforts must be continued to
strive for refinement.
16
Southern Haryana is situated in the
North-West plains of the country adjacent
to the Thar Desert. It has both the seasonal
extremes, i.e. extreme winter and extreme
summer. There is great variation in agro-
climatic and vegetation throughout the
year. In the period from May to June
there are very high day temperatures (up
to 48oC) and very low relative humidity
(20%). Both these factors are highly
detrimental for beekeeping and need extra
management practices (Sihag 1990a,b).
The region can also have great variation
in wind velocity and very low rainfall.
For this reason, natural vegetation is
very scanty. Two major wild plants that
come in bloom during this floral dearth
are Prosopis cineraria and Calotropis
procera. The period from July to August is
often rainy. However, the post rainy season
also experiences floral dearth, except for
the availability of the cultivated pearl
millet (Pennisetum typhoides Brum.) crop.
Therefore, beekeeping during this harse
dearth period needs extra management
especially the providing of artificial diets
- pollen supplement/ substitute.
Different types of pollen substitutes are
used to feed the honeybee colonies during
floral dearth. Pollen substitutes include
powdered skimmed milk (Haydak,
1967; Zaytoon et al., 1988; Rana et
al., 1996), milk products like whey
and wheat (Herbert, 1979; Herbert
and Shimanuki, 1979), soy products
(Haydak 1967; S tandifer et al., 1978;
Kulincervic et al., 1982), brewer’s
yeast (Abdelatif et al., 1971), fish meal
(Chalmers, 1980), and meat scraps
(Herbert and Shimanuki, 1979).
Several efforts have earlier been made
for the preparation of pollen supplement/
pollen substitute diets (Haydak, 1945;
Abdellatif et al., 1971; Wille and
Schafer, 1971; Standifer et al., 1973;
Doull, 1980; Herbert et al., 1980;
Herbert and Shimanuki, 1980, 1983;
Schmidt et al., 1987; Winston, 1991;
Baidya et al., 1993; Zhelyazkova and
Nenchev, 1997; Herbert 2000; Nabors
2000; Cohen 2004; Van der Steen,
2007; De Grandi-Hoffman et al.,
2008; Dejong et al., 2009; Saffari et al.,
2010a,b). But, none of these could mach the
pollen in their efficiency to effect buildup
and pollen and honey stores in the colonies
except the one prepared by Saffari et al.
(2010b). Soy products are still the most
popular ingredients of the honeybee diet,
although some workers have reported
their poor efficiency in colony build up
and stores (Herbert and Shimanuki,
1979; Kulincervic et al., 1982; Hays,
1984; Zaytoon et al., 1988; Chhuneja
et al., 1992, 1993a,b; Rana et al., 1996;
Schmidt and Hanna 2006; Saffari et
al., 2010a). Some of the developed pollen
substitute diets appeared to be even better
than pollen in acceptability and nutritional
value for honeybees (Gregory, 2006; De
Grandi-Hoffman et al., 2008; De Jong
et al., 2009; Saffari et al., 2010a,b).
A cheap/low cost, acceptable diet for
honeybees is a prime need of beekeepers,
especially in the developing countries
where beekeepers cannot afford high
cost investments. Further, the diet should
either be easily available or the beekeepers
themselves should be able to easily prepare
the diet. The diet must have economical
viability and be easy to be prepared by the
beekeepers themselves.
The basic principle of an artificial
diet should be that it contains all the
ingredients, texture, and consistency that
are acceptable to the honeybees (Herbert
and Shimanuki, 1979; Schmidt et al.,
1987; Winston 2005; Saffari et al.,
2010a). It must have nutritional values
and be free from anti-nutritional factors
(Schmidt et al., 1987; Herbert 2000;
Wilson et al., 2005; Saffari et al.,
2010a). At our study site, pollen is available
from December to February. The period
from mid May to mid July is the period
of a very hot (day temperature, 48oC) and
dry (Rh, 20%) floral dearth. Engaging the
honeybee colonies in pollen collection
during the flow period reflects heavily on
their productivity. This kind of condition is
prevalent almost everywhere in India and
also in other parts of the world. That is why,
Vol. 55 No. 2 2011 Journal of Apicultural Science 17

we tested four locally produced and easily sugar syrup were given to each colony. The
available pulses as protein sources and unused portion of the diet was discarded.
also three formulations for acceptability/ Each colony was given 1700 g of the diet
palatability. The effectiveness of the best from July to October. The control colonies
acceptable diet (as pollen supplement and received one litre of 50 per cent sugar syrup
pollen substitute) and formulation, on the per week only. All the colonies had newly
buildup, pollen, and honey stores of the mated and laying queens which were raised
experimental colonies was studied and in February 2002.
their performances were compared with the The experimental colonies were
control colonies. The first objective of our equalized according to their attributes.
study was to prepare a formulation from Each test colony had an initial strength
the locally available cheap protein sources of five frames carrying about 14000 bees
that would be palatable to honeybees. The (Burgett et al. 1984) and was devoid
second aim was to develop a diet that is of any pollen. Each test colony had one
nutritionally sound, so that it affects colony frame of unsealed brood (650 cm2), one
reproduction, growth and productivity. frame of sealed brood (650 cm2) and a
half frame of honey (350 cm2). Different
Material and Methods attributes of the test colonies were recorded
We carried out our experiments at every 21 days (the developmental period
the Regional Research Station, Bawal of a worker honeybee). The recorded
(Haryana, India) of the CCS Haryana attributes included unsealed/uncapped
Agricultural University. Four pulses easily brood area, sealed/capped brood area,
available in India viz. fat free soybean honey area, pollen area (all in cm2), and
(Glycine max (L.) Merr.), mungbean honeybee strength. Recommended colony
(Vigna radiata L. Wilczek), chick pea management practices were regularly
(Cicer arietinum L.) and pigeon pea followed in all these colonies (Sihag,
(Cajanus cajan(L.) Mill SP) were taken. 1990a). Each diet was tested on a set of
Three formulations were prepared i.e. four colonies selected for each treatment.
solid, semi- solid and semi- liquid (slurry) As stated above, the basic principle for
by mixing the different ingredients (as preparation of an artificial diet was that
shown in Table 1) in water. Feeding inside it should have all the ingredients, texture
the hive is less wasteful. For this reason, and consistency that are acceptable to
diets were made available to the bees by honeybees. Flour of pulses, besides
directly introducing the formulations having high nutritional value, gave bulk
into the frames. Each candidate pollen to the diet. Warm water was added to the
substitute/supplement diet was given to weighed diet until the mixture could turn
a set of four colonies (Plate-1, Plate-2). into the desired formulation (solid, semi-
Every week 100 g of pollen substitute/ solid or slurry form). Table 2 presents
supplement diet and one litre of 50 per cent the chemical composition of different
Table 1.
Different ingredients of artificial diets given to the colonies of honeybee
(Apis mellifera) during the dearth period.
Diets Pollen substitute diet Pollen supplement diet
Pulses flour 60 parts 55 parts
Honey 35 parts 35 parts
Pollen - 5 parts
Yeast extract 5 parts 5 parts
Multivitamin complex* 100 mg/kg (dry diet) 100 mg/kg (dry diet)

*Supradyn tablets manufactured by Bayer Health Care were used.

18
Fig. 1. Manual provisioning of pollen substitute/supplement diet in to the comb
of Apis mellifera colony.
Fig. 2. Honeybee (Apis mellifera) workers feeding on the pollen
substitute/supplement diet.
constituents used in the pollen substitute
diet. We took due care to include proteins,
vitamins and minerals in the artificial diets
of this study. Table 3 depicts the varying
level of ANFs (trypsin inhibitors, phytase
and tannins) in raw and hydrothermically
treated soybeans. The diets of our study
were free from the presence of any anti-
nutritional factors. To eliminate/inactivate
the anti-nutritional factors (ANFs)
present in the seeds of the pulses in our
study, the seeds were hydrothermically
treated at 151 lb (121oC for 15 min). The
seeds were then dried and their flour was
prepared. The flour was sieved through a
fine muslin cloth to enable the selection of
acceptable texture/size of the broken seeds.
Table 4 enlists various vitamins found in
different components of an artificial diet.
Accordingly, we used Supradyn tablets of
multivitamins and minerals manufactured
by Bayer Health Care. The composition
has been given in Table 5.
Preference of pollen supplement/
substitute diet
The observations on diet consumption
were recorded for four days after the
diet was provided, and observations on
colony parameters were recorded at 21 day
intervals. The experiment started on 17 July
2002 and concluded on 25 March 2003.
However, the artificial diet was given for
Vol. 55 No. 2 2011 Journal of Apicultural Science 19

Table 2.
Chemical composition of various components
used in pollen substitute/supplement diets.
Components Soya flour1 Brewer’s Yeast2 Honey3
Moisture 11.0 7.0 17.20
Protein 42.0 45.0 0.26
Fat 3.5 0.4 -
Ash 6.5 6.5 0.17
Sugar 37.0 58.9 79.59%

1, 2: Chalmers, W.T. (1980);

3. The Hive and the Honeybee (Dadant & Sons, 1986).

Table 3.
Varying level of ANFs (Trypsin inhibitors, phytase and tannins)
in raw and hydrothermically treated beans.
Trypsin inhibitor activity Phytase phosphorus Tannins
Ingredients (m/g)1 (μg/g)2 (μg/g)3
Raw seeds 83.23±5.44 36.14±0.96 33.15±0.4
Hydrothermically treated seeds 9.6±0.49 34.28±0.44 29.96±0.46
All values are mean ± S.E. of mean;
1: Kakade et al. (1969);
2: Davies and Reid (1979);
3: Swain and Hills (1959).
Table 4.
Vitamins in various components of pollen substitute/supplement diets.
Soya flour Brewer’s Yeast Honey
Vitamin (mg/100g)1 (mg/100g)2 (μg/100g)3
Thiamine 0.17 9.46 6.0
Nicotinic Acid 307 47.6 350
Riboflavin 0.44 3.85 60
Pyridonine - 4.36 300
Pantothenic acid 1.4 11.4 95
Biotin 0.032 0.5 Traces
Folic Acid 0.04 0.9 Traces
1,2: Cha l m e r s (1980);
3: Cran e (1986).
3 months only (3 weeks for preference and the comb frames. The wire-grid consisted
the remaining time was for performance) of squares in which each had an area of
i.e. July 17 to Nov. 19, 2002. 6.45 cm2 (Chhuneja et al., 1993a).
Measurement of different attributes The wire grid was placed on the comb
of the experimental colonies for measuring various parameters. The
Unsealed, sealed (worker and drone) brood, numbers of the wire grid squares covering
pollen and honey stores were measured in the different parameters were counted
terms of area (cm2). Observations were on all the combs in a colony. From this
recorded at 21 day intervals from 17 total; brood, pollen and honey areas were
July 2002 to 25 March 2003. The above obtained. Honey stores were calculated
colony parameters were measured using according to Chhuneja et al. (1993a).
a frame sized wire-grid. This grid fit well Ten frames with different areas of honey
when placed on the four wooden bars of stores were selected at random from
20

Table 5.
Composition of multivitamins in the tablets of Supradyn*
used in pollen substitute/supplement diets.
Quantity
Constituents (per 100g)
Vitamins
Vitamin A IP (as acetate) 10000 I.U.
Cholecalciferol IP 1000 I.U.
Thiamine Mononitrate IP 10 mg
Riboflavine IP 10 mg
Pyridoxine Hydrochloride IP 3 mg
Cyanocobalamin (mg) 15 mg
Nicotinamide (mg) 100 mg
Calcium Pantothenate (mg) 16.3 mg
Ascorbic acid (mg) 150 mg
Alpha Tocopheryl acetate (mg) 25 mg
Biotin (mg) 0.25 mg
Minerals
Tribasic calcium phosphate 129 mg
Magnesium oxide light I.P. 60 mg
Dried ferrous sulphate I.P. 32.04 mg
Manganese sulphate monohydrate B.P. 2.03 mg
Total phosphorus in preparation 25.80 mg
Trace elements
Copper sulphate pentahydrate B.P. 3.39 mg
Zinc sulphate I.P. 2.20 mg
Sodium molybdate dihydrate 0.25 mg
Sodium borate B.P. 0 88 mg
Manufactured by Bayer Health Care.

different colonies. The area of honey in Statistical analysis of data

every comb was measured with the help of
the wire grid. The honey in those combs
was then squeezed out and weighed. The
total weight of the honey (kg) squeezed
out was divided by the total area of honey
(cm2) which was 1.25 x 10-3 kg/cm2. For
measuring the quantity of honey in a colony,
the area of honey store (measured with the
help of the wire grid), was multiplied with
a 1.25 x 10-3 factor to get the weight (kg) of
honey present in the colony. Total honey
store in the test colonies was measured at
the end of the experiment.
Total bee strength was observed in
terms of frames actually covered by bees
(Burgett et al., 1984). Bee strength of all
the experimental colonies was recorded at
21 day intervals from 17 July 2002 to 25
March 2003.
The experiments were laid down
in “Completely Randomized Design”
following Snedecor and Cochran
(1989) and data were analyzed statistically
to compare the means.
Results and discussion
Preference for diets and formulations
Table 6 presents data on the per cent
consumption of four diets and their
formulations for pollen-substitute, and
Table 7 for pollen-supplement. The per
cent consumption of all the diets was
found to be progressive. Only a small
amount of solid diet was consumed by
the colonies. Maximal consumption rate
was, however, observed in the semi-
liquid (slurry) formulation of all the diets,
Vol. 55 No. 2 2011 Journal of Apicultural Science 21

and the difference with other two Feeding of honeybee colonies has
formulations was significant (p<0.05, been recognized as an essential practice
ANOVA). The consumption of the soybean in beekeeping. To sustain the survival,
diet was maximal (> 80 per cent) followed reproduction, and brood rearing in
by gram and mungbean/arhar. The arhar stationary beekeeping, where a distinct
diet was found to be least consumed and the dearth period is witnessed, artificial
difference among the diets was significant feeding of the colonies becomes essential.
(p<0.05, ANOVA). It was found that A stimulant feeding not only boosts brood
by mixing in 5 per cent of pollen, there rearing, but also provides more foraging
was more than a 5 per cent increase in force before the honey flow, for increased
the diet consumption of the semi-liquid honey production and better pollination
(slurry) formulation. The consumption services. The development and application
of up to 85 per cent of the soybean diet of pollen substitutes and supplements
with the slurry formulation as a pollen- have been of long-standing interest to the
supplement, is an indicator of its being a beekeeping industry and many diverse
highly acceptable formulation and diet. materials have been tried out (Chhuneja
For further experimentation, therefore, the et al., 1993b). A principal factor in the
slurry formulation of soybean based diets normal development of a honeybee colony
was selected. is the availability of an adequate and
balanced diet in an attractive and palatable
form (Dietz, 1975; Taber, 1978;
Table 6 .
The listed preferences of Apis mellifera for different pollen substitute diets and formulations.
Periodic consumption (%) of the diets after being provided on different days*
Diets/ Days
Formulation
Soybean Mungbean Gram Arhar
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Solid 3 5 7 8 2 4 5 6 2 4 5 6 2 3 4 5
Semi-solid 25 37 45 50 20 28 35 40 22 32 37 40 15 22 28 32
Slurry 55 65 72 80 32 42 50 55 35 45 52 60 30 38 45 50
*n=4, Decimal values rounded off to the nearest whole number;
CD (p≤0.05) Formulation = 5.65;
CD (p≤0.05) Diet = 6.53;
CD (p=0.05) Interaction = N.S.

Table 7.
The listed preferences of Apis mellifera for different pollen supplement diets and formulations.
Periodic consumption (%) of the diets after being provided on different days*
Diets/ Days
Formulation
Soybean Mungbean Gram Arhar
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Solid 4 6 8 9 3 5 6 7 3 5 6 7 3 4 5 7
Semi-solid 28 40 48 54 23 32 39 45 26 35 40 43 18 25 32 35
Slurry 60 72 80 85 38 48 55 60 42 50 57 66 35 42 50 55
*n=4, Decimal values rounded off to the nearest whole number;
CD (p≤0.05) Formulation = 5.61;
CD (p≤0.05) Diet = 6.48;
CD (p≤0.05) Interaction = N.S.
22

Townsend and Smith, 1969). Earlier, Measurement of different attributes of

a soybean based pollen-substitute diet in the experimental colonies
semi-solid formulation and with glycerol as Data in Tables 8-13 reveal the periodic
moistener was used for feeding the colonies levels of different attributes of the colonies
of honeybee (A. mellifera) (Sihag, 1990b, of A. mellifera fed two diets viz. pollen
1991). However, this diet was much less supplement and substitute-in slurry
acceptable to the honeybee colonies. The formulation and of the control colonies
reasons for such a low acceptance, however, which were devoid of any diet. The level
are not known. One of the reasons could of unsealed brood, sealed brood, pollen
be the presence of glycerol as a moistener store, honey store and colony strength all
in that diet. In the latest study by Mishra were maximal in the slurry formulation of
and Sihag (2010), glycerol was found to soybean diet, and the differences for all
enhance the repellency of chemicals against the parameters were significant (p<0.05,
honeybee A. mellifera. Instead of showing ANOVA). However, the pollen-supplement
positive results, glycerol might have acted diet showed better results than the pollen-
as an olfacto-/ phago-repulsion factor, thus substitute diet. The control colonies had
lowering the acceptability of the artificial very low level of these parameters. With
diet. Formulation can be another factor. the start of bee flora, the colonies provided
Chhuneja et al. (1992) and Waller et al. with pollen-supplement performed better
(1970) have also stressed the importance than the colonies provided with other
of diet formulation. In the present study, treatments, in all the colony attributes.
slurry formulation was found to be the most There was a progressive increase in
acceptable/preferred diet by the honeybee unsealed brood that increased about
colonies (A. mellifera) three times in colonies fed a pollen
supplement diet, two times in colonies fed
a pollen substitute diet and unsealed brood
Table 8.
Periodic level of unsealed brood in the colonies
of Apis mellifera under different diets.
Unsealed brood (cm2)*
Dates of under different diets
observation Pollen Pollen The
supplement substitute control
26/06/2002 325 325 325
17/07/2002 225 170 40
7/8/2002 230 168 35
28/08/2002** 215 160 30
18/09/2002 220 162 33
8/10/2002** 235 172 35
29/10/2002 232 175 40
19/11/2002** 228 180 45
10/12/2002 225 172 38
31/12/2002 310 250 75
21/01/2003 380 290 125
11/2/2003 450 350 190
4/3/2003 650 500 250
25/03/2003 900 650 300

*n=4;
**Sugar feeding @ 1 kg/colony was given as 50% solution;
CD (p≤0.05) diet = 120.922.
Vol. 55 No. 2 2011 Journal of Apicultural Science 23

Table 9.
Periodic level of sealed brood in the colonies
of Apis mellifera under different diets.
Sealed brood (cm2)* under different diets
Dates of
observation Pollen Pollen The
supplement substitute control
26/06/2002 325 325 325
17/07/2002 320 315 320
7/8/2002 220 165 32
28/08/2002** 208 155 25
18/09/2002 202 145 30
8/10/2002** 230 165 30
29/10/2002 225 165 35
19/11/2002** 225 172 42
10/12/2002 220 165 35
31/12/2002 220 170 35
21/01/2003 300 242 68
11/2/2003 355 275 115
4/3/2003 425 330 185
25/03/2003 630 490 240

*n=4;
**Sugar feeding @ 1 kg/ colony was given as 50% solution;
CD (p≤0.05) diet = 85.792.

Table 10.
Periodic level of pollen in the colonies
of Apis mellifera under different diets.
Pollen area (cm2)* under different diets
Dates of
observation Pollen Pollen The
supplement substitute control
26/06/2002 160 160 160
17/07/2002 150 140 120
7/8/2002 135 115 75
28/08/2002** 70 55 15
18/09/2002 40 25 2
8/10/2002** 25 15 3
29/10/2002 20 15 2
19/11/2002** 15 12 2
10/12/2002 25 20 5
31/12/2002 210 180 25
21/01/2003 215 210 40
11/2/2003 230 220 40
4/3/2003 250 245 50
25/03/2003 140 138 40

*n = 4;
**Sugar feeding @ 1 kg sugar/ colony was given as 50% solution;
CD (p≤0.05) diet = 57.967.
24

Table 11.
Periodic level of honey in the colonies
of Apis mellifera under different diets.
Honey area (cm2)* under different diets
Dates of
observation Pollen Pollen The
supplement substitute control
26/06/2002 650 650 650
17/07/2002 530 510 520
7/8/2002 410 400 370
28/08/2002** 340 325 315
18/09/2002 250 215 202
8/10/2002** 120 105 75
29/10/2002 70 60 25
19/11/2002** 30 30 2
10/12/2002 150 140 35
31/12/2002 270 250 70
21/01/2003 630 615 200
11/2/2003 3500 3000 1200
4/3/2003 4200 3300 1200
25/03/2003 4000 3200 1200
*n=4;
**Sugar feeding @ 1 kg sugar/ colony was given as 50% sugar solution.

Table 12.
Periodic level of colony strength
of Apis mellifera under different diets.
Colony strength (No. of frames)
Dates of under different diets
observation Pollen Pollen
supplement substitute The control
26/06/2002 5.0 5.0 5.0
17/07/2002 5.0 5.0 5.0
7/8/2002 5.5 5.5 5.5
28/08/2002** 6.0 6.0 5.5
18/09/2002 6.0 6.0 5.0
8/10/2002** 6.0 6.0 4.5
29/10/2002 6.5 6.0 4.5
19/11/2002** 7.0 6.5 4.0
10/12/2002 7.5 6.5 3.5
31/12/2002 8.0 6.5 3.5
21/01/2003 9.0 7.0 3.5
11/2/2003 10.0 7.5 4.0
4/3/2003 10.0 7.5 4.0
25/03/2003 12.0 8.0 4.5
*n=4;
**Sugar feeding @ 1 kg sugar/ colony was given as 50% sugar solution;
CD (p≤0.05) diet = 1.076.
Vol. 55 No. 2 2011 Journal of Apicultural Science
Honey yield in the colonies
of Apis mellifera under different diets.
Honey yield in colony (kg)
Diet
1 2
Pollen supplement 7.0
Pollen substitute 6.0
The control 0.5
CD (p≤0.05) diet = 0.725.
remained almost the same in the control
colonies. Similarly, sealed brood was about
two times more in colonies fed a pollen
supplement diet, one and a half times
more in colonies fed a pollen substitute
diet but sealed brood decreased by three
fourths in the control colonies. Both the
colonies fed pollen supplement and pollen
substitute gathered almost equal amounts
of pollen. However, the control colonies
could gather only a small amount of the
pollen (about one third of the former two).
The control colonies collected meager
amounts of honey. Honey collection was
three times more in the colonies fed a
pollen supplement diet and more than two
and a half times more in colonies fed a
pollen substitute diet. Therefore, the pollen
supplement diet proved to be better than the
pollen substitute diet; the control colonies
that were not given any diet faired poorly.
Sustained egg laying by the queen and
brood rearing by the workers depend on
an adequate supply of proteins for the
development of the hypopharyngeal glands
of the nurse bees and the elaboration of
brood food (Haydak and Dietz, 1965;
Doull, 1975a; Herbert and Shimanuki,
1977, Gregory, 2006). Since in nature,
honeybees obtain such proteins only from
pollen, the capability of the colonies to rear
brood throughout the year depends on the
amount of pollen available (Doull, 1975a).
The beekeepers may face serious problems
if the colonies are completely dependent on
naturally available pollen. At such times of
pollen deficiency it is of advantageous to
provide essential nutrients in the form of
pollen substitutes.
25
Table 13.
3 4 Mean
6.5 6.8 6.8 6.77
5.0 5.4 5.8 5.57
1.0 0.7 0.7 0.73
The feeding of a pollen substitute has
extensive application in the production
of queens and package bees (Doull,
1975b), in the early build-up of colonies
for exploiting spring honey flows (Free,
1993) and for spring pollination (Doull,
1975b; Wyndham, 1973). Pollen
substitutes are of benefit during pollen
dearth due to environmental factors
(Doull, 1975b). Pollen substitutes are also
of benefit when bees are working on crops
that yield abundant nectar but little pollen,
such as eucalyptus and alfalfa (Johansson
and Johansson, 1977). The continuous
feeding of pollen substitutes can markedly
enhance colony performance (Doull,
1975b; Kleinschmidt and Kondos,
1978). Pollen substitute may be fed to
alleviate pesticide damage (Dietz, 1975;
Wyndham, 1973).
There is, however, no good replacement
for fresh, bee collected, natural pollen.
Various materials used are often costly,
deficient in protein quality or other dietary
requirements (Haydak, 1949, 1970;
Standifier, et al., 1973), The presence
of toxic or pathogenic agents (Barker and
Lehner, 1976; Barker, 1977), and low
palatability (Haydak, 1936a,b; Herbert,
1978) are also factors of other materials
used. Commercially available trapped
pollen is expensive and likely to be of
considerably lower nutritional value than
fresh pollen (Dietz, 1975; Hagedorn and
Moeller, 1968).
In our study, though, the pollen
supplement diet showed better efficacy, yet
the limitations of pollen availability and its
collection and storage do exist. This fact is
especially true in the developing and under
26
developed countries where beekeepers lack
minimum facilities for such ventures. Under
such situations, a good pollen substitute
diet is still a better option than a pollen
supplement diet. Therefore, future research
should concentrate on the development
of a suitable pollen substitute diet for the
honeybee colonies to help tide the colonies
over the dearth period.
Acknowledgements
We are thankful to the Director, RRS
Bawal for the use of the general facilities.
The research was carried out under
the National Agricultural Technology
Project sponsored by the Indian Council
of Agricultural Research, New Delhi.
MG is thankful to Haryana Agricultural
University for the Merit Stipend.
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Zhe l y a z k o v a I., N e n c h e v P. (1997) -

Influence of additional feeding with pollen
substitute on the fresh weight of queen and
worker-bees (Apis mellifera L.) . Zhivotnov
Dni Nauki, suppl. 110-122.

WPŁYW DIETY ZASTĘPCZEJ/UZUPEŁNIAJĄCEJ PYŁEK

NA RODZINY PSZCZOŁY MIODNIEJ (Apis mellifera L.)
W OKRESIE ZMNIEJSZONEJ DOSTĘPNOŚCI POKARMU

Sihag R. C., Gupta M.

S t r e s z c z e n i e
Nasiona czterech łatwo dostępnych w Indiach nasion roślin strączkowych, a mianowicie,
soi zwyczajnej (Glycine max L. Merr.), fasoli złotej (Vigna radiata L. Wilczek), ciecierzycy
pospolitej (Cicer arietinum L.) i grochu gołębiego (Cajanus cajan L. Mill SP) zostały wykorzystane
do przygotowania sztucznych dodatków do karmienia rodzin pszczoły miodnej (Apis mellifera L.)
w okresie zmniejszonej dostępności pokarmu. Przygotowano trzy preparaty: stały, półstały
i półpłynny poprzez mieszanie różnych składników w wodzie. Dodatki te podano rodzinom
i analizowano ich spożycie przez pszczoły. Badano ich wpływ na różne cechy rodzin: powierzchnia
czerwiu odkrytego (cm2), powierzchnia czerwiu krytego (cm2), siła rodzin (na podstawie liczby
plastrów obsiadanych przez pszczoły) oraz zapasy pyłku i miodu (cm2).
Dane dotyczące preferencji pszczół dla czterech w/w nasion wykazały, że soja była najchętniej
pobierana przez pszczoły. Preparat w formie półpłynnej okazał się najbardziej preferowanym
spośród trzech postaci preparatów. Porównanie preparatów uzupełniających pyłek oraz diety
zastępczej wskazało, że pierwsze z nich okazały się lepsze od drugich. Preparaty uzupełniające
dietę mogą wpływać na bardziej ustabilizowaną produkuję i wychów większej ilości czerwiu
oraz lepsze wykorzystanie pożytku naturalnego. Rodziny karmione preparatami uzupełniającymi
pyłek naturalny miały większą siłę niż rodziny karmione preparatami zastępczymi.
Słowa kluczowe: pszczoła miodna, Apis mellifera L., rodzina pszczela, karmienie zastępcze,
czerw, miód, pyłek kwiatowy, dodatek pyłkowy, dieta pyłkowa zastępcza.

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