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The Discovery of Honeybee 'Baby Food' Honeybees blend a special 'baby food' to give their larvae a balanced diet, with adult bees also able to regulate their feeding to avoid overconsuming certain nutrients, according to a study. Nutritional Challenges in Pollen Nectar from flowers provides mainly sugar, while pollen is a bee's main source of protein. However, pollen is the male reproductive material of plants and does not always provide the balance of nutrients that bees need to thrive. Research Findings Researchers compared the essential amino acid profiles of honeybee tissues with that of pollen from 99 species of British flowering plant. They found that most pollen sources tested were a poor match for the essential amino acid profile of bee tissues. Impact on Bee Nutrition Bees that were fed diets that more closely matched their own tissue composition ate more, gained more body mass and consumed a more protein-rich balance of food. The researchers also discovered that honeybees appear to have developed a strategy to ensure their developing young obtain a balanced diet. Honeybee 'Baby Food' Production Honeybees collect pollen from many different flowers and store it in the hive as 'bee bread'. It is eaten by nurse bees, which then convert nutrients from pollen into glandular secretions, including royal jelly, which are fed to larvae. Future Implications The study suggests that planting for pollinators should not only focus on providing flowers throughout the season, but also on ensuring a diversity of pollen sources. A varied diet may be essential for bees to obtain the right balance of nutrients.

The Alarming State of Bee Populations Last winter, commercial beekeepers lost more than 60% of their colonies, marking their worst losses on record. This decline is not just an environmental issue but also a significant threat to the US food system, which relies heavily on bees for pollination. The Role of Industrial Agriculture Managed honeybees are essentially gig workers in agriculture, contributing over $15bn to the US food system and pollinating more than 130 types of fruits, nuts, and vegetables. However, their management is grueling and involves being trucked cross-country, fed supplements, bred for productivity, and exposed to pesticides. The Impact of Almond Pollination The annual almond bloom in California is a prime example of the challenges faced by bees. Beekeepers truck more than 2m bee colonies to the state, which is over 95% of the country's commercial colonies, to pollinate 1.4m acres of blooming almonds. This event poses significant risks, including the spread of parasitic varroa mites and exposure to agrochemicals. The Financial and Environmental Consequences The consequences of bee declines are far-reaching. Beekeepers may charge farmers more for their pollination services or have fewer bees to offer, leading to smaller harvests, more expensive fruits and vegetables, and less diversity in the produce aisle. The problem is exacerbated by the loss of floral oases where beekeepers historically produced honey and the reduction in bee research funding. A Call to Action To support bees, it is crucial to restore and increase funding for pollinator research, maintain and plant more conservation lands, and require pesticide labels to better disclose sublethal toxicities. The time has come for the food system to take responsibility and make changes to protect these vital pollinators.