Determination of longevity and nosema spp infestation rate in honeybees (apis mellifera L.) feeding with different sugar groups

In this study, honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) fed with different sugar types (glucose, fructose, sucrose and invert sugar) were compared in terms of life span and adult bee disease (Nosema spp. ) fed with different sugar groups (Glucose + Nosema spp, Fructose + Nosema spp, Sucrose + Nosema spp and Invert sugar + Nosema spp) infected with Nosema spores, which is an important adult bee disease. SPSS package program was used to evaluate the data obtained and Kaplan Mirer Test was used to determine the life span. According to the findings, honeybees fed with fructose had the shortest life span in both infected and non-infected groups, while honeybees fed with sucrose had the longest life span. Nosema infection significantly decreased the lifespan in all sugar groups (p < 0.05). The spread of spores started earlier and was more intense in the fructose group. The results also revealed that the severity of Nosema infection and the lifespan of honeybees varied significantly depending on the sugar types applied. It was also determined that sucrose was a more suitable food source for colonies infected with Nosema, while fructose increased the severity of Nosema infection and decreased the life span.