Artificial Diet Formulations for Commercial Beekeeping in India

Bee nutrition is an important aspect in commercial beekeeping. The honeybee population is decreasing day by day and one of the main reasons behind this is unavailability of food all round the year. Honey bees feed upon pollen (protein) and nectar (carbohydrate) of flowers. During certain periods of the year, weather conditions are not suitable for bees and availability of food resources is very low. This emergency period is often known as dearth period. Honey bee colonies have to struggle for their existence and if food stores are poor then bee population declines rapidly, egg-laying and brood rearing activities are minimized and the colonies may perish. Efficient management of bee colonies requires the beekeepers to be very careful and vigilant. Development of highly palatable, nutritionally balanced and economically viable pollen supplement or substitute will eradicate the problem of beekeepers during dearth periods. This book will provide an important insight to entomologists who are working on bee nutrition as well as to beekeepers who are in great need of artificial food for bees. Also, the book is useful to young researchers & post graduate students.