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 - 69 . (canceled) 
     
     
         70 . A method for increasing bee performance, comprising administering to insects a composition for providing nutrition comprising omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids in a ratio of between about 5:1 to 1:20, wherein the increased performance is one or more of:
 (a) optimized biological membrane synthesis;   (b) increased biological fitness;   (c) increased learning;   (d) increased palatability;   (e) increased cognitive function;   (f) increased consumption;   (g) increased survival;   (h) increased foraging;   (i) increased size;   (j) increased honey production; and   (k) increased brood production.   
     
     
         71 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the composition for providing nutrition to insects is
 a diet which supplies insects with all or substantially all of the nutrients required for survival,   a dietary supplement, or   a pollen substitute which is a replacement of floral pollen.   
     
     
         72 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the composition comprises sterols. 
     
     
         73 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the composition comprises at least two sterols, and
 wherein the at least two sterols are selected from 24-methylene cholesterol, campesterol, β-sitosterol and cholesterol;   the at least two sterols are a plurality of sterols, wherein the plurality of sterols comprises at least two sterols selected from 24-methylene cholesterol, campesterol, β-sitosterol and cholesterol; or   the at least two sterols are provided in the composition in a concentration selected from between about 0.01% to 4% by weight of the composition.   
     
     
         74 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are delivered through at least one component which is a source of fatty acids. 
     
     
         75 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the composition comprises fats from between about 1% and about 10% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         76 . The method of  claim 70  wherein the composition comprises proteins. 
     
     
         77 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the composition comprises proteins and wherein the concentration of proteins is from about 10% to about 50% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         78 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the composition comprises carbohydrates. 
     
     
         79 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the composition comprises carbohydrates and wherein the concentration of the carbohydrates is from between about 20% to about 90% by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         80 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the composition comprises proteins and fats. 
     
     
         81 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the composition comprises proteins and fats and wherein the ratio of proteins to fats is between about 25:1 and 1:10 by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         82 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the composition comprises proteins and carbohydrates and wherein the ratio of proteins to carbohydrates is between about 2 (protein): 1  (carbohydrate) and about 1 (protein):10 (carbohydrate) by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         83 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the composition comprises proteins and carbohydrates and wherein the ratio of proteins to carbohydrates is between about 1 (protein):1 (carbohydrate) and about 1 (protein):5 (carbohydrate) by weight of the composition.