IMPACT OF USING POLLEN SUBSTITUTES ON PERFORMANCE OF HONEY BEE (Apis mellifera L.) COLONIES UNDER HARSH ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Pollen grains are the main source of protein for honey bees. In Central region of Saudi Arabia, the lack of this natural diet during dry seasons in summer is a primary concern for beekeeping industry. Effect of using alternative protein feeding on performance, feed consumption, brood rearing activity and storing bee bread of honey bee colonies was tested during late summer under Riyadh region condition. Soybean flour, mesquite pods flour, date paste, corn gluten and Feedbee® diets were the main tested material in the present study. Preference was determined by using multiple choice tests (MCT). The obtained results revealed that honey bees preferred firstly the commercial product Feedbee®, followed by date paste and mesquite diets. Also, the highest consumption was recorded in honey bee colonies fed Feedbee® and was equal to approximately 1.2, 1.3 and 1.8 fold of amounts consumed from date paste, mesquite and corn gluten diets, respectively. Effect of tested diets on brood rearing activity of honey bee colonies during two successive years was studied. Results showed that the superior response had been obtained using Feedbee® followed by mesquite and date paste diets. Due to the fact that Feedbee® is expensive and not available in the local markets of Saudi Arabia, beekeepers are advised to use mesquite pods flour and date paste as pollen substitute in the dearth periods to enhanced brood rearing of honey bee colonies during late summer.