Bee nutrition

Abstract

A method for increasing bee performance by administering pollen substitutes to bees where the pollen substitute includes sources of proteins, fatty acids and carbohydrates.

1 - 59 . (Canceled) 
     
     
         60 . A method for increasing bee performance, comprising: administering to a bee a pollen substitute composition, comprising:
 a) at least one component which is a source of protein;   b) at least one component which is a source of one or more fatty acids; and   c) at least one component which is a source of one or more carbohydrates;   wherein:   the ratio of protein and one or more fatty acids in the composition is between about 1 (protein):10 (fatty acid) w/w and about 20 (protein):1 (fatty acid) w/w; and   the composition comprises linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) in a ratio of between about 5:1 (LA:ALA) to 1:20 (LA:ALA) as compared to a composition comprising linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) in a ratio of more than 5:1 (LA:ALA) or less than 1:20 (LA:ALA).   
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein administration of the composition increases palatability as compared to a composition comprising linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) in a ratio of more than 5:1 (LA:ALA) or less than 1:20 (LA:ALA). 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein administration of the composition increases brood production as compared to a composition comprising linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) in a ratio of more than 5:1 (LA:ALA) or less than 1:20 (LA:ALA). 
     
     
         63 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein administration of the composition increases foraging as compared to a composition comprising linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) in a ratio of more than 5:1 (LA:ALA) or less than 1:20 (LA:ALA). 
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein administration of the composition increases cognitive function as compared to a composition comprising linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) in a ratio of more than 5:1 (LA:ALA) or less than 1:20 (LA:ALA). 
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein administration of the composition increases consumption as compared to a composition comprising linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) in a ratio of more than 5:1 (LA:ALA) or less than 1:20 (LA:ALA). 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein administration of the composition increases survival as compared to a composition comprising linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) in a ratio of more than 5:1 (LA:ALA) or less than 1:20 (LA:ALA). 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein administration of the composition increases bee size as compared to a composition comprising linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) in a ratio of more than 5:1 (LA:ALA) or less than 1:20 (LA:ALA). 
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein administration of the composition increases honey production as compared to a composition comprising linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) in a ratio of more than 5:1 (LA:ALA) or less than 1:20 (LA:ALA). 
     
     
         69 . The method of  claim 60 , wherein administration of the composition increases biological fitness as compared to a composition comprising linoleic acid (LA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) in a ratio of more than 5:1 (LA:ALA) or less than 1:20 (LA:ALA).