The importance of protein type and protein to carbohydrate ratio for survival and ovarian activation of caged honeybees (Apis mellifera scutellata)

L'importance du type de protéine et du rapport protéine-carbohydrate pour la survie et l'activité ovarienne chez des abeilles confinées (Apis mellifera scutellata)

Christian W.W. Pirk , Chiraag Boodhoo , Hannelie Human , Susan W. Nicolson

Pollen is the natural source of protein for bees and it is commonly assumed that a high protein content in pollen is beneficial. Investigation of the optimal nutrient ratio for honeybees was prompted by our earlier study showing surprisingly high mortality in caged honeybees fed with the protein-rich pollen of Aloe greatheadii var davyana, although field bees experience optimal growth when feeding on this pollen. We tested the effect of different protein sources and different protein:carbohydrate (P:C) ratios on the survival and ovarian activation of caged bees. Bees fed casein showed consistently higher survival than those fed royal jelly or aloe pollen, regardless of P:C ratios. They survived longer on lower P:C ratios and longest on a pure carbohydrate diet. The greatest ovarian activation was recorded for bees fed royal jelly in a 1:3 P:C ratio, showing the superior quality of royal jelly for supporting development.

Mots clés: Aloe; macronutrients; pollen; casein; royal jelly<br>---<br>Aloès; macronutriments; caséine; gelée royale

Domaines: Zoologie des invertébrés; Biodiversité; Ecologie, Environnement; Science des productions animales

Christian W.W. Pirk, Chiraag Boodhoo, Hannelie Human, Susan W. Nicolson. The importance of protein type and protein to carbohydrate ratio for survival and ovarian activation of caged honeybees (Apis mellifera scutellata). Apidologie, 2010, 41 (1), ⟨10.1051/apido/2009055⟩. ⟨hal-00892049⟩