The Novelty of Azolla pinnata As a Promising Alternative Feed for Honeybee, Apis mellifera (L.)
Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences A. Entomology • 2022
Publication Information
Authors
El Ghbawy I.A., Omar R.E., Khattab M.M. and Nowar E.E.
Keywords
Apis mellifera, Azolla, pollen substitute, hypopharyngeal glands, longevity.
Journal
Egyptian Academic Journal of Biological Sciences A. Entomology
Publisher
Egyptian Society of Biological Sciences
Volume
15
Issue
2
Pages
35-49
publication.type
Local
Paper Link
Open Link
Supplementary Materials
Not Available
Abstract
Honeybees play a pivotal role in pollinating plants worldwide besides producing valuable products that are used commercially for several purposes. The main factor affecting the biological activities of honeybee colonies is the source of their food and components, especially the source of protein. Therefore, two experiments (in apiary and laboratory) were designed to use a novel protein source (Azolla pinnata) in an attempt to enhance the biological activities of honeybees. Nine colonies of honey bees were divided into three groups, each group received a different protein source (azolla, maize pollen grains, sugar syrup only as control). We found that although the consumption rate of pollen patty exceeds the azolla patty, all estimated biological activities were higher in the honeybee group fed on the azolla patty than in other groups. The estimated activities included the sealed brood area, Hypopharyngeal gland development (HPG) and its effect on royal jelly production, abdominal lipid content as well as the longevity of honey bee workers. Hence, the success of our idea of using Azolla as a promising source of protein in feed alternatives for honeybees has succeeded for the first time in the world, and it is considered a new starting point for many studies towards finding unconventional and environmentally safe feed alternatives.
Staff Members - Benha University