Effect of feeding artificial diets to honey bees during dearth period under Panchkula (Haryana) conditions

Six protein-rich pollen substitutes and supplements were formulated with the help of locally available protein rich ingredients: defatted soy flour, parched gram, brewer's yeast, soy protein hydrolysate, spirulina, skimmed milk powder and natural pollen. These formulations were fed to Apis mellifera colonies in the form of patties on top bars of hive during summer dearth periods. Results on the preference of bees for the formulated diets showed that diet 3 (defatted soy four, brewer's yeast and soy protein hydrolysate powder) proved to be most effective with 2155.3 cm² sealed brood area, 5.8 total bee covered frames and 11509 bee population.