The Effect of Feeding Honeybee Colonies (Apis mellifera L.) with Protein Patties on the Level of Nosema spp. Spore Invasion

Abstract

The honeybee colony needs sufficient nectar, honey and pollen supplies to meet its energy and nutritional needs, which in turn requires the constant availability of natural food. However, during early spring and periods of adverse weather conditions, the most reliable source of additional food is supplementary feeding of honeybee colonies with patties or sugar syrup in sufficient quantity and quality, as part of good beekeeping practice. This study aimed to determine the impact of protein patties on honeybee colonies after application during supplementary feeding, and possible effects on the level of invasion by Nosema spp. spores. Samples of adult bees collected in the apiary in experimental and control groups were examined under the hypothesis that honeybee colonies would take up protein patties better than sugar patties, and that the number of spores of Nosema spp. microsporidia would be reduced. Laboratory examination using a light microscope determined the presence and quantification of Nosema spp. spores. Although the analysis of the results did not reveal statistically significant differences in the number of spores between the control and experimental groups of honeybee colonies, a significant reduction in the number of Nosema spp. spores were observed during the experiment in colonies fed with protein patties over the course of the study.