Comparative performance of honeybee colonies fed with artificial diets in Gwalior & Panchkula region

Abstract

Honey bee colonies have to struggle for their existence during dearth periods. Colonies must be fed with artificially formulated diets to maintain bee population. In the present study, efforts were made to develop highly palatable, nutritionally balanced and economically viable pollen supplement or substitute for Apis mellifera. Diet 3 composed of soy flour-1part, brewer’s yeast-1part, soy protein hydrolysate-1part, sugar-1part, glucose-1part proved to be best for honeybees in terms of biochemical composition, net consumption, positive influence on colony parameters and input cost involved.