Effects of different artificial diets on commercial honey bee colony performance, health biomarkers, and gut microbiota.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Honey bee colonies managed for agricultural pollination are highly dependent on human inputs, especially for disease control and supplemental nutrition. Hives are routinely fed artificial "pollen substitute" diets to compensate for insufficient nutritional forage in the environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different artificial diets in a northern California, US commercial beekeeping operation from August through February. This time period represents an extended forage dearth when supplemental nutrition is used to stimulate late winter colony growth prior to almond pollination in the early spring. A total of 144 honey bee colonies were divided into 8 feeding groups that were replicated at three apiary sites. Feeding groups received commerci

SUBMITTER: Ricigliano VA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8780706 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature