Researchers at the University of Oxford have created a honeybee „superfood“ that could safeguard colonies from habitat loss and climate change. Trials showed colonies fed with the supplement produced up to 15 times more adult bees.
Honeybees, which pollinate 70% of major global crops, are in sharp decline due to disease, nutrient loss, and climate stress. In the US, colony losses average 40–50% annually; UK beekeepers also report severe die-offs, with some losing up to 75% of hives in a single winter.
Traditional bee supplements of sugar and protein lack essential sterols needed for development. After 15 years of research, Professor Geraldine Wright’s team successfully engineered yeast to produce the six sterols bees require.
The new food mimics natural pollen, providing complete nutrition. Early tests suggest it could make bees healthier and more resilient to disease, especially in years with poor flowering. Larger trials are planned, and the product may reach beekeepers within two years.
Photo ©️ unsplash.com
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c776kynn771o
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