The Influence of Food Inside the Hive on Pollen Collection by a Honeybee Colony

SummaryPackaged bees were installed in hives with 3 empty frames and 6 additional frames, all filled with either honey, pollen or empty cells. Pollen collection and brood production were sampled. Linear correlation between pollen collection and population was not significant. Pollen collection was higher with honey than with pollen or with empty cells. Correlation between pollen collection and brood area was significant in starved colonies in which brood rearing was depressed. Thus, adequate stores of honey or syrup seem important to pollen gathering.