Spirulina platensis improves the productive performance of honeybees (Apis mellifera L.) colonies

Abstract

Biodiversity degradation and climate change are factors that have a significant impact on the abundance and diversity of floral resources, leading to malnutrition, nutritional stress, honeybee health and colony losses. Spirulina algae is a good food source that can provide higher levels of certain nutrients than some natural pollen sources. This study evaluated spirulina as a pollen substitute for honey bee colonies under nutritional stress and compared its effects with those of natural pollen and a sugar solution control, from October 2020 to May 2022 at the Faculty of Agriculture, Benha University, Egypt. Results showed improved colony productivity, including brood production and yields of honey, pollen, and royal jelly, despite decreased consumption compared to a pollen-based diet (120.65±0.93 and 383.52±2.51g/colony, respectively). Furthermore, a significant increase in abdominal lipid content and dry head weight was observed in worker bees fed spirulina, compared to the positive and negative control groups. Hence, spirulina-based diets can serve as an alternative to pollen, enhancing honeybee productivity and increasing profits.