Assessing the Impact of Supplemental Feeding during Dearth Period on Brood Development in Apis mellifera

Md Elmur Reza; Naznin Sultana; Abdul Azim; Md Shafiqul Islam; Md Nuray Alam Siddiquee; Md Noor Alam; Md Ataur Rahman

doi:10.13102/sociobiology.v73i2.12317

Authors

Md Elmur Reza Entomology Division, Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0046-7690
Naznin Sultana Entomology Division, Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute (BSRI), Ishurdi, Pabna, Bangladesh
Abdul Azim Biotechnology Division, Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute (BSRI), Ishurdi, Pabna, Bangladesh
Md Shafiqul Islam Entomology Division, Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute (BSRI), Ishurdi, Pabna, Bangladesh
Md Nuray Alam Siddiquee Entomology Division, Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute (BSRI), Ishurdi, Pabna, Bangladesh
Md Noor Alam Entomology Division, Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute (BSRI), Ishurdi, Pabna, Bangladesh
Md Ataur Rahman Bangladesh Sugarcrop Research Institute (BSRI), Ishurdi, Pabna, Bangladesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13102/sociobiology.v73i2.12317

Keywords:

honeybee, Supplement, Dearth period, Brood development, Apis mellifera, diet

Abstract

The dearth period, characterized by the scarcity of natural nectar and pollen, poses a significant threat to the health and productivity of Apis mellifera colonies. This study was conducted at the BSRI Apiary, Ishurdi, Pabna, during the 2019-2020 cropping season to assess brood development and resource storage. Two wooden honeybee rearing boxes, along with 7 (seven) frames, were selected. This study investigated the efficacy of two supplemental feeding regimens – a carbohydrate-only diet (Sugar syrup, T1) and a carbohydrate-protein diet (Pulse + Sugar diet, T2) – compared with a non-fed control (T3) across various parameters. The experiment tracked changes in Brood Cell (Egg, Larvae), Sealed Brood, Pollen Cell, Honey Cell, and Empty Cell counts from a primary to a final data point. The results demonstrated that the Pulse + Sugar diet (T2) significantly outperformed the other treatments, resulting in the highest final counts for Brood Cell (926.14a) and Honey Cell (784.57a). T2 also showed the largest percentage increase in Brood Cell (39.77%) and Sealed Brood (35.37%). Statistical analysis (LSD at 5%) confirmed that T2’s final Brood Cell and Honey Cell counts were significantly higher than T1 and T3. The control group (T3) experienced a severe decline, 71.52% change in Brood Cell, highlighting the nutritional stress of the dearth period. These findings confirm that a protein-rich supplement is critical for stimulating robust brood development and resource accumulation in honey bee colonies during periods of nutritional scarcity.

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