Utilization of temperate fruits for off-season dietary management of honey bees

Sugar is the main commodity to feed honey bees during off-season as nectar substitute. The primary objective of this study was to develop economical and efficient diet for honey bees from temperate fruits. For this, syrup containing temperate fruits was evaluated and bee colonies were provided by the four different fruit syrups, viz., plum (Prunus domestica), apple (Malus sp.), apricot (Prunus armeniaca) and pear (Prunus persica) and compared with the control (sugar solution) to determine their impact on desirable attributes of bee colonies. Results from the per cent palatability of some syrups indicated that, they were completely accepted (100%) by bee colonies. Besides, a gradual increase in brood area, honey store, pollen store and foraging activity were observed after feeding in all the syrups combination, viz., plum syrup followed by apricot, sugar (as control), and apple syrup. All the desirable parameters were found to be least in pear syrup. Cost and shelf-life were also calculated, in support of the adoption of these syrups. Results revealed that among the evaluated fruits plum followed by apricot syrup was the best dietary option for bees during off-season, which reduced the cost of feeding by more than 40 per cent.