Researchers from Washington State University and APIX Biosciences have developed a new food source for honey bees that can sustain colonies indefinitely without natural pollen. This innovation, detailed in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, addresses the nutritional challenges faced by honey bees due to environmental changes, urban expansion, and extreme weather.

The new food, similar to human “Power Bars,” contains all essential nutrients, including isofucosterol, a vital molecule found in pollen. Trials showed that nutritionally stressed colonies fed this food thrived, while those without it experienced severe declines. The research involved extensive collaboration over a decade and demonstrated significant improvements in colony health compared to traditional feeding practices.

This breakthrough could help combat high colony mortality rates and support global food supplies reliant on bee pollination. The product is expected to be available for purchase in the U.S. by mid-2026, with ongoing efforts to optimize its use in agricultural settings.

Honey bees play a crucial role in global agriculture through their pollination activities, which are essential for the production of many fruits, vegetables, and nuts. However, honey bee populations have been declining due to various factors, including habitat loss, pesticide exposure, and nutritional stress. Recent research has introduced a promising solution: a new food source designed to sustain honey bee colonies without reliance on natural pollen.

Research Overview

A collaborative study conducted by researchers from Washington State University (WSU) and APIX Biosciences NV has resulted in the development of a nutritionally complete food source for honey bees. This research was published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B (Bogaert et al., 2025). The new food product is designed to meet all the nutritional needs of honey bees, addressing the growing challenges they face in their environment.

Key Findings

1. Nutritional Composition: The newly developed food resembles human “Power Bars” and contains a comprehensive blend of nutrients essential for honey bee health. A critical component of this food is isofucosterol, a molecule naturally found in pollen that is vital for bee nutrition.
2. Field Trials: The research involved extensive field trials with nutritionally stressed honey bee colonies deployed for commercial crop pollination in Washington state. The results indicated that colonies fed the new food source thrived, demonstrating increased survival rates and colony growth compared to those receiving standard commercial feed or no supplementation.
3. Impact on Pollination: The study highlights the potential for this new food source to revitalize beekeeping practices, particularly in crops like blueberries, which are known for their poor pollen quality. Beekeepers may be more inclined to pollinate these crops, knowing that their bees are more likely to survive and thrive.
4. Collaboration and Development: The research represents over a decade of collaborative effort among scientists from APIX Biosciences, WSU, and beekeepers in California. This teamwork was essential in testing thousands of ingredient combinations to create an effective feed for honey bees.

Implications for Beekeeping and Agriculture

The introduction of this pollen-replacing food source is a significant advancement in honey bee management. As honey bees are the only livestock that could not previously be maintained on a man-made feed, this innovation could transform how beekeepers manage their colonies. The potential to reduce colony mortality rates and improve pollination efficiency is critical for sustaining agricultural productivity and food security.

Future Directions

The new food source is expected to be available for purchase in the United States by mid-2026. Ongoing collaboration between researchers, beekeepers, and agricultural stakeholders will be essential to optimize the use of this product in various agricultural settings.

Conclusion

The development of a nutritionally complete pollen-replacing food for honey bees represents a promising solution to the challenges faced by these vital pollinators. By addressing nutritional deficiencies and improving colony health, this innovation has the potential to enhance beekeeping practices and support global food supplies reliant on bee pollination.

References

Bogaert, T., Hopkins, B., & Pilkington, P. (2025). A nutritionally complete pollen-replacing diet protects honey bee colonies during stressful commercial pollination – Requirement for isofucosterol. Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2024.3078.

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