Free Access
| Issue |
Apidologie
Volume 31, Number 3, May-june 2000
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Page(s) | 387 - 409 | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/apido:2000130 | |
DOI: 10.1051/apido:2000130
Apidologie 31 (2000) 387-409
Pollen quality of fresh and 1-year-old single pollen diets for worker honey bees (Apis mellifera L.)
Stephen F. Pernal - Robert W. Currie
Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2
(
Abstract:
Newly-emerged honey bees were placed in cages and fed sucrose syrup and one of the following single-pollen
diets: Malus domestica Borkh., Brassica campestris L., Phacelia tanacetifolia L.,
Melilotus officinalis (L.) Pall., Helianthus annuus L., Pinus banksiana (Lamb.),
artificial supplement (Bee-Pro
)
or nothing. Hypopharyngeal gland protein was determined at
intervals of 0, 3, 8 and 14 days and ovary development was visually scored on day 14. The development of
hypopharyngeal glands and ovaries varied with diet and, collectively, proved to be sensitive measures of
protein utilization and pollen quality. For workers fed 1-year-old Phacelia pollen, protein was
utilized in a differential fashion, promoting the development of ovaries over that of hypopharyngeal
glands. Development of glands and ovaries was strongly correlated with the amount of protein workers
consumed from pollen diets, and to a lesser extent, the crude protein content of diets. Storing pollen for
1 year by freezing did not affect gland or ovary development.
)
or nothing. Hypopharyngeal gland protein was determined at
intervals of 0, 3, 8 and 14 days and ovary development was visually scored on day 14. The development of
hypopharyngeal glands and ovaries varied with diet and, collectively, proved to be sensitive measures of
protein utilization and pollen quality. For workers fed 1-year-old Phacelia pollen, protein was
utilized in a differential fashion, promoting the development of ovaries over that of hypopharyngeal
glands. Development of glands and ovaries was strongly correlated with the amount of protein workers
consumed from pollen diets, and to a lesser extent, the crude protein content of diets. Storing pollen for
1 year by freezing did not affect gland or ovary development.
Keywords:
Apis mellifera / hypopharyngeal gland / ovary / nutrition / protein / pollen
Correspondence and reprints: Stephen F. Pernal
E-mail: spernal@sfu.ca
Copyright INRA/DIB/AGIB/EDP Sciences