Affiliation:
1. Convergence Research Center for Insect Vectors, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
2. Department of Life Sciences, College of Life Science and Bioengineering, Incheon National University, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
Abstract
The nutritional quality of a colony significantly affects its health and strength, particularly because it is required for population growth in the early spring. We investigated the impact of various artificial pollen substitute diets on colony performance in the Republic of Korea during early spring, a critical period for colony health and growth. The colonies were provided with different diets, including the commercial product Megabee (positive control), our developed diet Test A, and four upgraded versions (Diet 1, Diet 2, Diet 3, and Diet 4) of Test A. The negative control group received no supplementary feed. Over 63 days, we observed 24 experimental colonies and assessed various parameters at the colony and individual levels. The results revealed that Diet 2 had the highest consumption and had the most positive impact on population growth, the capped brood area, colony weight, honey bees’ weight, and vitellogenin levels. These findings suggested that Diet 2 is most attractive to honey bees and thus holds great promise for improving colony maintenance and development during the crucial early spring period.
Funder
Cooperative Research Program for Agriculture Science & Technology Development
National Research Foundation of Korea
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