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THE ROLE OF INVERTED SUGAR SYRUP IN ENHANCING SEALED BROOD QUANTITY AND BEE COLONY PRODUCTIVITY IN WARRE HIVES

Year 2025, Volume: 25 Issue: 2, 243 - 250

Abstract

The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of inverted sugar syrup supplementation on sealed brood quantity and colony strength in Warre hives, compared to traditional sucrose syrup feeding. The experiment consisted of 14 honey bee colonies, equally distributed between the control group (n = 7) and the experimental group (n = 7). The bee colonies were established at an apiary near Tran, Pernik region, Bulgaria. Our study shows that bee colonies fed inverted sugar syrup had significantly higher average values of sealed worker brood and colony strength compared to those in the control group from April to October in Warre hives. While these short-term results are promising and positive, long-term studies could reveal more about the lasting effects on bee health and productivity in this hive system. These results can help beekeepers choose better feeding strategies to maintain healthy and strong bee colonies in regions with insufficient pasture.

References

  • Ansaloni LS, Kristl J, Domingues CEC, Gregorc A. An overview of the nutritional requirements of honey bees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758). Insects 2025; 16(1), 97:1-12, doi.org/10.3390/insects16010097
  • Bogdanov S, Martin P, Lüllmann C. Harmonised methods of the European honey commission. Apidologie, 1997; extra issue, 1-59.
  • Brodschneider R, Crailsheim К. Nutrition and health in honey bees. Apidologie. 2010; 41(3):278-294, doi.org/10.1051/apido/2010012
  • Ceksteryte V, Racys J. The quality of syrups used for bee feeding before winter and their suitability for bee wintering. J. Api. Sci. 2006; 50(1):5-14.
  • Cotter SC, Simpson SJ, Raubenheimer D, Wilson K. Macronutrient balance mediates trade-offs between immune function and life history traits. Funct. Ecol. 2011; 25:186-198, doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2435.2010.01766.x
  • Crailsheim K. Intestinal transport of sugars in the honeybee (Apis mellifera L). J. Insect. Physiol. 1988; 34(9):839-845, doi.org/10.1016/0022-1910(88)90117-5
  • Delaplane KS, Van der Steen J, Guzman E. Standard methods for estimating strength parameters of Apis mellifera colonies. J. Apic. Res. 2013; 52, 1-12, doi.org/10.3896/IBRA.1.52.1.03
  • Eşanu DI, Simeanu D, Mircea PI. The use of some energetics syrups on bees deprived on natural picking and its effects on some morphological and productive parameters. Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, 2018; 1:101-106.
  • Frizzera D, Del Fabbro S, Ortis G, Zanni V, Bortolomeazzi R, Nazzi F, Annoscia D. Possible side effects of sugar supplementary nutrition on honey bee health. Apidologie, 2020; 51:594-608, doi.org/10.1007/s13592-020-00745-6
  • Hsieh EM, Dolezal AG. Nutrition, pesticide exposure, and virus infection interact to produce context-dependent effects in honey bees (Apis mellifera), Sci. Total Environ. 2024; 949:1-8, doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175125.
  • Hung K-LJ, Kingston JM, Albrecht M, Holway DA, Kohn JR. The worldwide importance of honey bees as pollinators in natural habitats. Proc. R. Soc. B 2018; 285: 20172140, dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2017.2140
  • Johnson BR, Synk W, Jasper WC, Müssen E. Effects of high fructose corn syrup and probiotics on growth rates of newly founded honey bee colonies. J. Apic. Res. 2014; 53(1):165-170. doi.org/10.3896/IBRA.1.53.1.18.
  • Kus S, Fahrettin G, Eren S. Hydroxymethyl furfural content of concentrated food products. Int. J. Food Prop. 2005; 8:367-375, doi.org10.1081/JFP-200060257.
  • Lazarov SB, Veleva PM, Atanasov AZ, Hristakov IS, Puškadija Z. Impact of different sugar syrups on the development of the fat body in worker bees (Apis mellifera macedonica). Agriculture, 2025; 15, 83:1-16. doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15010083
  • LeBlanc BW, Eggleston G, Sammataro D, Cornett C, Dufault R, Deeby T, Cyr ES. Formation of hydroxymethylfurfural in domestic high- fructose corn syrup and its toxicity to the honey bee (Apis mellifera). J. Agric, Food Chem. 2009; 57(16):7369-7376, doi: 10.1021/jf9014526.
  • Matović K, Kaljević V, Mihailović R, Dmitrić M, Nedić N, Ćirić J, Jevtić G. Determination of some quality parameters of honey bee feed. Biotechnol. Anim. Husb. 2024; 40(2):141-153, doi.org/10.2298/BAH2402141M
  • Mayack C, Macherone A, Ghaffari Zaki A, Filiztekin E, Özkazanç B, Koperly Y, J. Schick SJ, Eppley EJ, Deb M, Ambiel N, Schafsnitz AM, Broadrup RL. Environmental exposures associated with honey bee health. Chemosphere, 2022; 286(3), 131948:1-10, doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131948
  • Mogren CL, Margotta J, Danka RG, Healy K. Supplemental carbohydrates influence abiotic stress resistance in honey bees. J. Apic. Res. 2018; 57(5):682-689, doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2018.1494912.
  • Pavlovic R, Dojnov B, Slavić MŠ, Ristović M, Vujčić M, Stojanović S, Vujčić Z. Differential processing of sucrose and invert syrup in honey bees. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 2025; 118. e70052:1-7, doi.org/10.1002/arch.70052
  • Pridal A, Musila J, Svoboda J. Condition and honey productivity of honeybee colonies depending on type of supplemental feed for overwintering. Animals, 2023; 13, 323:1-15, doi.org/10.3390/ani13030323
  • Quinlan G, Döke MA, Ortiz-Alvarado Y, Rodriguez-Gomez N, Koru YB, Underwood R. Carbohydrate nutrition associated with health of overwintering honey bees. J. Insect. Sci. 2023; 23(6),16:1-8, doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/iead084
  • Rortais A, Arnold G, Halm MP, Touffet-Briens F. Modes of honey bees exposure to systemic insecticides: estimated amounts of contaminated pollen and nectar consumed by different categories of bees. Apidologie, 2005; 36, 71-83, doi.org/10.1051/apido:2004071
  • Ruiz-Matute AI, Weiss М, Sammataro D, Sanz ML. Carbohydrate composition of high-fructose corn syrups (HFCS) used for bee feeding: Effect on honey composition. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2010; 58(12):7317-7322, doi.org/10.1021/jf100758x
  • Sammataro D, Weiss M. Comparison of productivity of colonies of honey bees, Apis mellifera, supplemented with sucrose or high fructose corn syrup. J. Insect. Sci. 2013; 13, 19:1-14, doi.org/10.1673/031.013.1901
  • Szczęsna T, Waś E, Semkiw P, Skubida P, Jaśkiewicz K, Witek M. Changes in the physicochemical properties of starch syrups after processing by honeybees. Agriculture 2021; 11, 335:1-14, doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11040335
  • Tsuruda JM, Chakrabarti P, Sagili RR. Honey bee nutrition. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 2021; 37(3):505-519, doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2021.06.006
  • Wheeler M, Robinson G. Diet-dependent gene expression in honey bees: honey vs. sucrose or high fructose corn syrup. Sci. Rep. 2014; 4:1-5, 5726, doi.org/10.1038/srep05726
  • Wright GA, Nicolson SW, Shafir S. Nutritional physiology and ecology of honey bees. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 2018; 63:327-344, doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ento-020117-043423

Warre Kovanlarda İnvert Şeker Şurubunun Kapalı Yavru Miktarını ve Arı Ailesinde Verimliliği Artırmada Rolü

Year 2025, Volume: 25 Issue: 2, 243 - 250

Abstract

Bu çalışmanın temel amacı, invert şeker şurubu takviyesinin Warre kovanlardaki kapalı yavru miktarı ve koloni gücü üzerindeki etkisini, geleneksel sakkaroz şurubu ile beslemeyle karşılaştırarak değerlendirmektir. Deney, kontrol grubu (n=7) ve deney grubu (n=7) arasında eşit olarak dağıtılmış 14 bal arısı kolonisi ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Arı kolonileri, Bulgaristan'ın Pernik bölgesi, Tran yakınlarındaki bir arılıkta kurulmuştur. Çalışmamız, Warre kovanlarda invert şeker şurubu ile beslenen arı kolonilerinin, Nisan'dan Ekim'e kadar olan dönemde, kontrol grubundakilere kıyasla kapalı işçi yavrusu ve koloni gücü ortalama değerlerinin anlamlı derecede daha yüksek olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu kısa vadeli sonuçlar umut verici ve olumlu olsa da, uzun vadeli çalışmalar bu kovan sistemindeki arı sağlığı ve verimliliği üzerindeki kalıcı etkiler hakkında daha fazla bilgi ortaya çıkarabilir. Bu sonuçlar, arıcılara yetersiz mera bulunan bölgelerde sağlıklı ve güçlü arı kolonilerini sürdürmek için daha iyi besleme stratejileri seçmelerine yardımcı olabilir.

References

  • Ansaloni LS, Kristl J, Domingues CEC, Gregorc A. An overview of the nutritional requirements of honey bees (Apis mellifera Linnaeus, 1758). Insects 2025; 16(1), 97:1-12, doi.org/10.3390/insects16010097
  • Bogdanov S, Martin P, Lüllmann C. Harmonised methods of the European honey commission. Apidologie, 1997; extra issue, 1-59.
  • Brodschneider R, Crailsheim К. Nutrition and health in honey bees. Apidologie. 2010; 41(3):278-294, doi.org/10.1051/apido/2010012
  • Ceksteryte V, Racys J. The quality of syrups used for bee feeding before winter and their suitability for bee wintering. J. Api. Sci. 2006; 50(1):5-14.
  • Cotter SC, Simpson SJ, Raubenheimer D, Wilson K. Macronutrient balance mediates trade-offs between immune function and life history traits. Funct. Ecol. 2011; 25:186-198, doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2435.2010.01766.x
  • Crailsheim K. Intestinal transport of sugars in the honeybee (Apis mellifera L). J. Insect. Physiol. 1988; 34(9):839-845, doi.org/10.1016/0022-1910(88)90117-5
  • Delaplane KS, Van der Steen J, Guzman E. Standard methods for estimating strength parameters of Apis mellifera colonies. J. Apic. Res. 2013; 52, 1-12, doi.org/10.3896/IBRA.1.52.1.03
  • Eşanu DI, Simeanu D, Mircea PI. The use of some energetics syrups on bees deprived on natural picking and its effects on some morphological and productive parameters. Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, 2018; 1:101-106.
  • Frizzera D, Del Fabbro S, Ortis G, Zanni V, Bortolomeazzi R, Nazzi F, Annoscia D. Possible side effects of sugar supplementary nutrition on honey bee health. Apidologie, 2020; 51:594-608, doi.org/10.1007/s13592-020-00745-6
  • Hsieh EM, Dolezal AG. Nutrition, pesticide exposure, and virus infection interact to produce context-dependent effects in honey bees (Apis mellifera), Sci. Total Environ. 2024; 949:1-8, doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175125.
  • Hung K-LJ, Kingston JM, Albrecht M, Holway DA, Kohn JR. The worldwide importance of honey bees as pollinators in natural habitats. Proc. R. Soc. B 2018; 285: 20172140, dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2017.2140
  • Johnson BR, Synk W, Jasper WC, Müssen E. Effects of high fructose corn syrup and probiotics on growth rates of newly founded honey bee colonies. J. Apic. Res. 2014; 53(1):165-170. doi.org/10.3896/IBRA.1.53.1.18.
  • Kus S, Fahrettin G, Eren S. Hydroxymethyl furfural content of concentrated food products. Int. J. Food Prop. 2005; 8:367-375, doi.org10.1081/JFP-200060257.
  • Lazarov SB, Veleva PM, Atanasov AZ, Hristakov IS, Puškadija Z. Impact of different sugar syrups on the development of the fat body in worker bees (Apis mellifera macedonica). Agriculture, 2025; 15, 83:1-16. doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15010083
  • LeBlanc BW, Eggleston G, Sammataro D, Cornett C, Dufault R, Deeby T, Cyr ES. Formation of hydroxymethylfurfural in domestic high- fructose corn syrup and its toxicity to the honey bee (Apis mellifera). J. Agric, Food Chem. 2009; 57(16):7369-7376, doi: 10.1021/jf9014526.
  • Matović K, Kaljević V, Mihailović R, Dmitrić M, Nedić N, Ćirić J, Jevtić G. Determination of some quality parameters of honey bee feed. Biotechnol. Anim. Husb. 2024; 40(2):141-153, doi.org/10.2298/BAH2402141M
  • Mayack C, Macherone A, Ghaffari Zaki A, Filiztekin E, Özkazanç B, Koperly Y, J. Schick SJ, Eppley EJ, Deb M, Ambiel N, Schafsnitz AM, Broadrup RL. Environmental exposures associated with honey bee health. Chemosphere, 2022; 286(3), 131948:1-10, doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131948
  • Mogren CL, Margotta J, Danka RG, Healy K. Supplemental carbohydrates influence abiotic stress resistance in honey bees. J. Apic. Res. 2018; 57(5):682-689, doi.org/10.1080/00218839.2018.1494912.
  • Pavlovic R, Dojnov B, Slavić MŠ, Ristović M, Vujčić M, Stojanović S, Vujčić Z. Differential processing of sucrose and invert syrup in honey bees. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 2025; 118. e70052:1-7, doi.org/10.1002/arch.70052
  • Pridal A, Musila J, Svoboda J. Condition and honey productivity of honeybee colonies depending on type of supplemental feed for overwintering. Animals, 2023; 13, 323:1-15, doi.org/10.3390/ani13030323
  • Quinlan G, Döke MA, Ortiz-Alvarado Y, Rodriguez-Gomez N, Koru YB, Underwood R. Carbohydrate nutrition associated with health of overwintering honey bees. J. Insect. Sci. 2023; 23(6),16:1-8, doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/iead084
  • Rortais A, Arnold G, Halm MP, Touffet-Briens F. Modes of honey bees exposure to systemic insecticides: estimated amounts of contaminated pollen and nectar consumed by different categories of bees. Apidologie, 2005; 36, 71-83, doi.org/10.1051/apido:2004071
  • Ruiz-Matute AI, Weiss М, Sammataro D, Sanz ML. Carbohydrate composition of high-fructose corn syrups (HFCS) used for bee feeding: Effect on honey composition. J. Agric. Food Chem. 2010; 58(12):7317-7322, doi.org/10.1021/jf100758x
  • Sammataro D, Weiss M. Comparison of productivity of colonies of honey bees, Apis mellifera, supplemented with sucrose or high fructose corn syrup. J. Insect. Sci. 2013; 13, 19:1-14, doi.org/10.1673/031.013.1901
  • Szczęsna T, Waś E, Semkiw P, Skubida P, Jaśkiewicz K, Witek M. Changes in the physicochemical properties of starch syrups after processing by honeybees. Agriculture 2021; 11, 335:1-14, doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11040335
  • Tsuruda JM, Chakrabarti P, Sagili RR. Honey bee nutrition. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice, 2021; 37(3):505-519, doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2021.06.006
  • Wheeler M, Robinson G. Diet-dependent gene expression in honey bees: honey vs. sucrose or high fructose corn syrup. Sci. Rep. 2014; 4:1-5, 5726, doi.org/10.1038/srep05726
  • Wright GA, Nicolson SW, Shafir S. Nutritional physiology and ecology of honey bees. Annu. Rev. Entomol. 2018; 63:327-344, doi.org/10.1146/annurev-ento-020117-043423
There are 28 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Bee and Silkworm Breeding and Improvement
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Tsvetan Tsvetanov This is me 0000-0002-1118-3864

Ralitsa Balkanska 0000-0003-3486-1514

Early Pub Date November 5, 2025
Publication Date November 9, 2025
Submission Date July 18, 2025
Acceptance Date October 18, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025 Volume: 25 Issue: 2

Cite

Vancouver Tsvetanov T, Balkanska R. THE ROLE OF INVERTED SUGAR SYRUP IN ENHANCING SEALED BROOD QUANTITY AND BEE COLONY PRODUCTIVITY IN WARRE HIVES. U. Arı. D.-U. Bee J. 2025;25(2):243-50.

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