The Brood-Rearing Capability of Caged Honey Bees1 Fed Dandelion and Mixed Pollen Diets2

Abstract

Cages of confined newly emerged Apis mellifera L. were unable to rear brood when fed pure dandelion pollen diets. Varying percentages of dandelion pollen mixed with commercial invert sugar (Drivert) up to 50% by weight did not support brood rearing. Likewise, dandelion pollen fortified with L-tryptophane and L- phenylalanine did not stimulate brood rearing. Dande-lion pollen diets (10% concentration) fortified with Larginine resulted in complete brood rearing. Hypopharyngeal gland examination revealed that the gland lobi were well developed and apparently functional.