Consumption of Different Artificial Diets by Apis mellifera L. Colonies During Dearth Period in Morena, M.P., India

Aims: The insufficient availability during the dearth periods poses considerable threat to the sustainability and productivity of Apis mellifera L. colonies. The present study was undertaken to determine how honey bee colonies consume various artificial diets treatments during the times when natural food sources are scarce in the study region. Study Site and Duration: The present experiment was carried out at apiary of Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Morena and at beekeeper’s apiary in Morena district of Madhya Pradesh during 2022-23 and 2023-24. Methodology: Five different artificial diets were formulated and a weighted amount of diets, in the form of patties, were given to experimental colonies in three replicates by wrapping in the butter paper and placed on the top bar over the brood frames starting from October to December at weekly intervals during dearth periods. The net weight of diets consumed (fresh weight - weight of the remaining diet) was measured after each feeding at weekly intervals. Results: The results revealed that significant highest mean consumption was recorded from the colonies fed with Diet 4 with 34.39g/colony (2022-23) and 35.29g/colony (2023-24). The decreasing order of amount of consumption of the different diets was observed as follows: Diet 4 >Diet 1>Diet 3>Diet 2>Diet 5. Regardless of the diets, highest consumption was recorded on November 11th with 58.95g/colony (2022-23) and 61.41g/colony (2023-24) and the lowest consumption of 5.88g/colony (2022-23) and 5.55g/colony (2023-24) on 16th December with no further consumption recorded in any of the diets.   Conclusion:  The study concluded that Diet 4 exhibited the highest mean consumption indicating the most preferred diet, followed by Diets 1, 3, 2, and 5. Peak consumption was reported on November 11th, and the lowest on December 16th, with no further consumption thereafter.