Comparative study on agricultural extracts for brood management in Indian bees (Apis cerana indica) in tropical ecosystems

The performance of worker bees fed with different agricultural extracts such as nectar and pollen substitutes compared to the naturally fed workers was determined on (Apis cerana indica Fab.) was evaluated using a randomized block design (RBD). The results revealed that the worker bee fed with nectar and pollen substitutes was significantly superior to the naturally fed workers. The maximum consumption of nectar substitutes was 199.7, and 199.5 ml out of 200 ml were observed in T8 (black gram flour + sugar syrup) and T2 (soybean flour + sugar syrup). The maximum consumption (84.5 g) of pollen substitutes, maximum population (35.66/5 cm2), the maximum length of a worker bee (9.73 mm) and the maximum egg-laying capacity (103.5/5 cm2) were observed in T8 (black gram flour + sugar syrup). The minimum population of 29.08/5 cm2 and the minimum egg-laying activity (83.33/5 cm2) was observed in T1 (naturally fed colony), and the minimum length of worker bee of 9.63 mm was observed in T7 (soybean flour + tender coconut). These findings suggest that black gram flour and sugar syrup can significantly enhance colony productivity during dearth periods.