Overwintering Performance and Spring Development of Honeybee Colonies Fed with Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis)

With this study, spirulina, which has become quite popular in recent years and has also yielded successful results in cage trials in beekeeping, was used as an alternative protein source instead of pollen in autumn feeding, and the wintering performances of the colonies were determined. For this purpose, Anatolian Bee Muğla Ecotype sister queen bee colonies were created. Each group consisted of 4 colonies and the colonies were fed with bee cakes prepared with rockrose pollen (LP) and different doses of spirulina (S10%, S20% and S30%) once a week during October and November. After wintering, the adult bee population (ABP) in the colonies was determined as 4.6±0.47; 4.7±0.43 and 3.8±0.31 and 3.7±0.43 pieces in S10%, S20%, S30% and LP groups, respectively. In spring, the highest ABP and brood area (BA) were obtained in S20% (9.0±0.41 pieces and 6162±492 cm2) and the lowest ABP and BA were obtained in LP group (6.5±0.65 pieces and 4722±289 cm2) and the differences between the groups were found to be statistically insignificant. Considering the high protein content of spirulina and the fact that honey bee colonies enjoy consuming spirulina cake (except S%30), it can be recommended to add spirulina to bee diets during periods when pollen is insufficient. Especially in the future, it will be important to obtain detailed information about the positive and negative effects of spirulina with this and similar studies to be conducted more frequently.