A breakthrough in bee nutrition may solve the declining health of honey bee colonies worldwide. Researchers at Washington State University (WSU) and APIX Biosciences in Belgium have developed an artificial food source that could help honey bees thrive without access to natural pollen. Published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B, this new food source mimics the nutrients found in pollen and is designed to be used when bees face nutritional stress, a growing concern caused by habitat loss and climate change.

The researchers found that their food source could sustain honey bee colonies year-round without access to natural pollen. This new food is especially important for honey bees, who need various nutrients to survive. The breakthrough is particularly useful for commercial beekeeping, where bees are often transported for crop pollination, like in blueberry and sunflower fields, where the pollen quality is not ideal; unlike those fed commercial diets or provided no supplements, the new diet helped colonies grow and survive under these conditions.

A key finding from this study is the importance of a molecule called isofucosterol, which is typically found in pollen and is crucial for honey bee health. Bees fed the new diet with isofucosterol thrived without natural pollen. In contrast, bees that lacked this key nutrient experienced reduced larval production, paralysis, and colony collapse. This discovery shows how specific nutrients in the diet can support bee survival, particularly in challenging environments.

The new food source offers hope for reversing the alarming decline in bee populations, which has been linked to challenges in pollination, particularly in crops like blueberries. The researchers are optimistic that this innovation will improve honey bee health and agricultural productivity. The product is expected to be available for beekeepers in the U.S. by mid-2026, which could help stabilize bees’ crucial role in global food systems.

References

• Washington State University. (2025, April 15). New pollen-replacing food for honey bees brings hope for survival. Phys.Org; Washington State University. https://phys.org/news/2025-04-pollen-food-honey-bees-survival.html
• Bogaert, T., Reams, T., Maillet, I., Kulhanek, K., Duyck, M., Eertmans, F., Fauvel, A. M., Hopkins, B., & Bogaert, J. (2025). A nutritionally complete pollen-replacing diet protects honeybee colonies during stressful commercial pollination—Requirement for isofucosterol. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 292(2045), 20243078. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2024.3078