Molecular Entomology, 2025, Vol.16, No.1, 1-10 http://emtoscipublisher.com/index.php/me 4 conditions, as depicted by the truck icon. The schematic integrates temporal, geographical, and methodological elements, showcasing the seasonal influence on colony dynamics. Figure 1 Experimental design (Adopted from Branchiccela et al., 2019) 4 Evaluating the Effects of Optimized Feed on Colony Health 4.1 Physiological indicators of bee health Optimized feeding regimens have been shown to significantly enhance the immune system function of honey bees. For instance, colonies supplemented with a diet containing soybean flour, Brewer’s yeast, powdered sugar, skimmed milk, date palm pollen, and Vitamin C exhibited improved colony development and health parameters compared to control groups (Ahmad et al., 2021). Additionally, the antioxidant system in bees, including activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) enzymes, was markedly improved with prolonged supplemental feeding, suggesting a reduction in oxidative stress (Tawfik et al., 2020). This indicates that optimized feeding can bolster the bees’ immune defenses, potentially reducing susceptibility to diseases. The longevity and lifespan of worker bees are critical indicators of colony health. Studies have demonstrated that feeding bees with high-protein pollen sources, such as Papaver somniferum pollen, significantly increased their in-vitro longevity, with bees in this group living up to 23 days (Topal et al., 2022). Furthermore, the presence of essential amino acids in supplemental feeds has been linked to improved longevity and overall health of the bees (Hoover et al., 2022; Sarioğlu-Bozkurt et al., 2022). These findings underscore the importance of nutrient-rich diets in extending the lifespan of worker bees, thereby enhancing colony stability. 4.2 Brood production and development Brood rearing rates are a direct measure of a colony’s reproductive success. Colonies provided with supplemental diets, particularly those rich in protein, showed significantly higher brood rearing rates. For example, colonies fed with a diet containing a mix of soybean flour, Brewer’s yeast, and other nutrients had a larger worker-sealed brood area compared to those on a sugar syrup diet (Ahmad et al., 2021). Similarly, colonies supplemented with various protein feeds in spring exhibited increased brood rearing, which is crucial for maintaining colony strength during pollination periods (Hoover et al., 2022). The developmental health and survival of brood are enhanced by optimized feeding. Colonies fed with high-protein pollen sources demonstrated better wintering ability and higher survival rates of brood (Topal et al.,
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