Effects of protein-constrained brood food on honey bee (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Apis mellifera</Emphasis> L.) pollen foraging and colony growth |
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Authors: | Ramesh R Sagili Tanya Pankiw |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2475, USA |
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Abstract: | Pollen is the sole source of protein for honey bees, most importantly used to rear young. Honey bees are adept at regulating
pollen stores in the colonies based on the needs of the colony. Mechanisms for regulation of pollen foraging in honey bee
are complex and remain controversial. In this study, we used a novel approach to test the two competing hypothesis of pollen
foraging regulation. We manipulated nurse bee biosynthesis of brood food using a protease inhibitor that interferes with midgut
protein digestion, significantly decreasing the amount of protein extractable from hypopharyngeal glands. Experimental colonies
were given equal amounts of protease inhibitor-treated and untreated pollen. Colonies receiving protease inhibitor treatment
had significantly lower hypopharyngeal gland protein content than controls. There was no significant difference in the ratio
of pollen to nonpollen foragers between the treatments. Pollen load weights were also not significantly different between
treatments. Our results supported the pollen foraging effort predictions generated from the direct independent effects of
pollen on the regulation of pollen foraging and did not support the prediction that nurse bees regulate pollen foraging through
amount of hypopharyngeal gland protein biosynthesis. |
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Keywords: | Honey bee Pollen foraging Protease inhibitor Brood food Hypopharyngeal glands |
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