HONEY BEE & POLLINATION 
4 pages
Published: 12 May 2026
Author(s): Castaños, C., Tiffane, B., Grassl, J.
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DownloadBee colonies need pollen to raise brood and stay strong. Yet drought, seasonal gaps and heavy pollination jobs can cut pollen supply. As a result, beekeepers often feed artificial protein supplements, but hive growth and brood output are often uneven.
This project asked why supplements fall short. It tested several diets in lab cages and in field hives. First, the work compared diets against known essential amino acid needs. It then checked how bees used those nutrients over time.
The study found that minimum amino acid targets are not enough. Instead, the right balance and total level matter and bees must be able to absorb the amino acids. In practice, tyrosine proved essential under common feeding set-ups.
Importantly, no tested diet in cages kept brood growing to the capping stage. Therefore, key parts of pollen are missing from today’s products. The most likely gaps are sterols and certain fats.
Adoption will help beekeepers maintain stronger colonies, achieve more reliable brood rearing and enter pollination periods with better readiness and resilience. It also informs manufacturers and advisors seeking supplements that better mimic pollen and reduce management inputs.
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