New ‘Power Bar’ Diet Offers Hope for Declining Honey Bee populations
Washington, D.C. – August 22, 2025 – A revolutionary dietary supplement is poised to reshape the future of apiculture and global food production. Scientists have developed a complete food source for honey bees that can sustain colonies indefinitely, even in the absence of natural pollen, offering a critical lifeline to these vital pollinators.
The crisis Facing Honey Bees
honey bees are indispensable to global agriculture, responsible for pollinating approximately one-third of the food we consume. Though, in recent decades, bee populations have faced unprecedented challenges, including habitat loss, pesticide exposure, climate change, and, crucially, nutritional deficiencies. Beekeepers worldwide have reported unsustainable colony losses, raising serious concerns about food security.
“Honey bees are generalists and do not get all their nutrition from a single source,” explained Brandon Hopkin, a P.F. Thurber Endowed Distinguished Professor of pollinator ecology at Washington State University (WSU). “They need variety in their diet to survive but find it increasingly difficult to find the continuous supply of pollen they need to sustain the colony.”
A Novel Nutritional Solution
Researchers at WSU and APIX Biosciences NV in Belgium have collaborated to create a nutritionally complete diet for honey bees, mirroring the artificial diets commonly used for livestock and pets. This innovative approach provides bees with all the essential nutrients they require, potentially mitigating the devastating effects of colony collapse disorder. The new food is formulated as a nutrient-rich “power bar” placed within hives, where young bees process and distribute it to both larvae and adults.
Did You Know? Honey bees contribute billions of dollars to the global economy through pollination services annually, underscoring their critical role in agriculture.
The Role of Isofucosterol: A Key Finding
The research, published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, revealed a critical nutrient previously underestimated in bee nutrition: isofucosterol. While 24-methylenecholesterol was long considered the most vital sterol for bees, experiments demonstrated that colonies could survive without it, albeit with reduced brood production. However, the removal of isofucosterol resulted in severe consequences, including diminished brood growth and impaired neuromuscular function.
“Unlike other sterols, bees appear to conserve isofucosterol more carefully, suggesting an evolutionary mechanism to retain it for vital processes,” researchers noted. Depletion of this nutrient caused sluggish movement and coordination issues, hindering the bees’ ability to forage and care for their young, ultimately leading to colony collapse.
Key Findings in the research
| Nutrient | Impact on Bee Health |
|---|---|
| 24-Methylenecholesterol | Survival possible with reduced brood production. |
| Isofucosterol | Essential for survival; deficiency leads to neuromuscular dysfunction and colony collapse. |
Field Trials Demonstrate Success
to validate the diet’s effectiveness in real-world conditions, the WSU team conducted trials in blueberry and sunflower fields – environments known for poor pollen quality and stressed colonies. The results were compelling: colonies receiving the complete diet exhibited higher survival and growth rates compared to those fed commercial substitutes or left without supplemental feeding.
Interestingly, the bees demonstrated similar feed efficiency with the artificial diet as they do with natural pollen, consuming comparable amounts of food per capped brood cell produced.This suggests the diet can genuinely replace pollen, not merely supplement it.
“Some beekeepers don’t pollinate blueberries anymore because colonies suffer or die and the pollination fees don’t cover the losses,” explained Hopkin. “Blueberry pollen isn’t very nutritious for honey bees, and they aren’t adapted well to pollinating that crop. But if they have this supplemental food source, beekeepers may return to pollinating those fields since they know their bees are more likely to survive.”
Pro Tip: Supporting local beekeepers and planting pollinator-pleasant gardens are actionable steps individuals can take to help bolster bee populations.
Looking Ahead: Availability and Impact
The research team anticipates the product will be available for purchase in the U.S. by mid-2026. Patrick Pilkington, CEO of APIX Biosciences US, expressed confidence in the product’s potential impact.”We are working with WSU and the beekeeping community across the U.S. to develop the best way to make use of this new tool in agricultural settings.”
This breakthrough offers a strategic solution to address nutritional gaps, potentially reshaping pollination practices, reducing colony losses, and strengthening the food systems that depend on honey bees. What further innovations do you foresee in the realm of pollinator health and conservation?
Annual colony losses remain alarmingly high, emphasizing the urgency of this growth. The study demonstrated that colonies given the complete diet remained strong from spring through autumn, even during transport, storage, and periods of natural pollen scarcity. These healthier colonies are better prepared for overwintering, a critical factor for survival in temperate climates.
The decline of honey bee populations is a complex issue with far-reaching consequences. Beyond the immediate impact on agriculture, the loss of pollinators threatens biodiversity and ecosystem stability. Ongoing research focuses on mitigating pesticide exposure, restoring habitats, and promoting enduring beekeeping practices. The development of this novel diet represents a significant step forward, but a multifaceted approach is essential to ensure the long-term health of honey bee colonies and the ecosystems they support.
Frequently Asked questions About Honey Bee Nutrition
- What is the primary benefit of this new bee diet? This diet provides a complete nutritional profile for honey bees, allowing them to thrive even without access to natural pollen.
- What is isofucosterol and why is it important? Isofucosterol is a sterol found in pollen that is now recognized as essential for bee survival, impacting neuromuscular function and brood development.
- When will this new diet be available to beekeepers? The product is expected to be available for purchase in the U.S. by mid-2026.
- how was the diet tested? The diet was tested in both laboratory settings and real-world field trials in blueberry and sunflower fields.
- Will this diet wholly eliminate the need for pollen? The diet is designed to replace pollen, providing all the necessary nutrients for colony survival and growth.
- What role did Washington State University play in this research? WSU researchers conducted critical field trials and provided expertise in honey bee ecology.
We encourage you to share this important news with your network and join the conversation about protecting these vital pollinators. Subscribe to our newsletter for more updates on this story and other critical environmental issues.
