Nutrition and health in honey bees

Abstract

Adequate nutrition supports the development of healthy honey bee colonies. We give an overview of the nutritional demands of honey bee workers at three levels: (1) colony nutrition with the possibility of supplementation of carbohydrates and proteins; (2) adult nutrition and (3) larval nutrition. Larvae are especially dependant on protein and brood production is strongly affected by shortages of this nutrient. The number of larvae reared may be reduced to maintain the quality of remaining offspring. The quality of developing workers also suffers under conditions of larval starvation, leading to slightly affected workers. Larval starvation, alone or in combination with other stressors, can weaken colonies. The potential of different diets to meet nutritional requirements or to improve survival or brood production is outlined. We discuss nutrition-related risks to honey bee colonies such as starvation, monocultures, genetically modified crops and pesticides in pollen and nectar. malnutrition / pollen / protein / carbohydrates / supplemental feeding

Weight of evidence evaluation of a network of adverse outcome pathways linking activation of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in honey bees to colony death

“…Foraged water can be used for evaporative cooling of the hive during warm weather (as reviewed by Jones and Oldroyd, 2006). Nectar and pollen collected by the foragers are the sole food source for the colony, with nectar providing carbohydrates and pollen providing lipids, protein, vitamins, and essential minerals (Brodschneider and Crailsheim, 2010). Upon returning to the hive, forager bees identify non-foraging, food-storing hive bees and deliver their collection by regurgitating nectar carried back in their honey stomach (i.e., foregut of proventriculus; Free, 1959).…”

“…Worker larvae reach average weights of 144 to 162 mg prior to the pre-pupal and cell-capping stage, and after metamorphosis upon emergence from their cells have average weights of 81 to 120 mg as young adults (reviewed by Jay, 1963). Proper nutrition, specifically the amount and quality provided by the nurse bees during the larval stage, directly affects the weight and size of larvae and is therefore considered a critical factor for normal development (Brodschneider and Crailsheim, 2010;US EPA, 2016).…”

“…Rather, pollen collected by foragers is converted into stored bee bread. Consumption of bee bread stimulates the production of glandular secretions from the hypopharyngeal and mandibular glands to produce royal jelly or brood food, which is the major source of protein fed to developing larvae (Brodschneider and Crailsheim, 2010). In order to rear one larva, 25-37.5 mg of protein or the equivalent of 125-187.5 mg of pollen are needed (Hrassnigg and Crailsheim, 2005).…”

Enfraquecimento e perda de colônias de abelhas no Brasil: há casos de CCD?

“…A deficiência nutricional da colônia afeta as reservas de alimento, os cuidados com as crias, aumenta o canibalismo e prejudica o estado nutricional das gerações subsequentes de operárias (Brodschneider & Crailsheim, 2010). Problemas nutricionais afetam o sistema imunológico das abelhas e das colônias e estão associados às causas da CCD (DeGrandi-Hoffman & Chen, 2015).…”

“…O nível ótimo de desenvolvimento das colônias ocorre quando se fornecem 20 a 23% de proteína bruta e todos os aminoácidos considerados essenciais (De Groot, 1953). Considera-se também importante que o alimento, natural ou formulado, contenha os aminoácidos não essenciais -glicina, serina e prolina -, para estimular o crescimento em A. melífera, pois a deficiência de qualquer um destes aminoácidos pode prejudicar a síntese das proteínas que os contêm (Dadd, 1973;Brodschneider & Crailsheim, 2010). Os carboidratos são importantes no fornecimento da energia que será usada na síntese da matéria orgânica, contração muscular, condução de impulsos nervosos, produção de aminoácidos, produção de cera, entre outros.…”