Comparison of the effects of two kinds of commercially available pollen on colony development and queen production in the bumble bee Bombus terrestris L (Hymenoptera, Apidae)

Abstract

The effects of two kinds of stored pollen (fresh and dried, kept in the freezer) on individuals and colonies of Bombus terrestris were investigated. The pattern of colony development, and the number and biomass of workers and males were similar for colonies fed on fresh-frozen pollen (FFP) and dried-frozen pollen (DFP). However, queens reared on DFP were smaller, had lower biomass, higher mortality and produced smaller colonies than queens reared on FFP.