The effect of Agaricus brasiliensis extract supplementation on honey bee colonies.
2018
Authors:
Stevanović, JevrosimaStanimirović, Zoran
Simeunović, Predrag
Lakić, Nada
Radović, Ivica
Soković, Marina
Griensven, Leo J L D VAN
Document Type:
Article (Published version)
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract:
This study was done to discover any beneficial effect of a medicinal mushroom Agaricus brasiliensis extract on the honey bee. Firstly, a laboratory experiment was conducted on 640 bees reared in 32 single-use plastic rearing cups. A. brasiliensis extract proved safe in all doses tested (50, 100 and 150 mg/kg/day) irrespective of feeding mode (sugar syrup or candy). Secondly, a three-year field experiment was conducted on 26 colonies treated with a single dose of A. brasiliensis extract (100 mg/kg/day) added to syrup. Each year the colonies were treated once in autumn and twice in spring. The treatments significantly increased colony strength parameters: brood rearing improvement and adult population growth were noticed more often than the increase in honey production and pollen reserves. These positive effects were mainly observed in April. In conclusion, A. brasiliensis extract is safe for the bees and helps maintaining strong colonies, especially in spring.
Keywords:
Apis mellifera; Colony strength; Medicinal mushroom ‘Cogumelo do Sol’; Natural-based supplementSource:
Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias, 2018, 90, 1, 219-229Funding / projects:
- Molecular genetic and ecophysiological researches on the protection of autochthonous animal genetic resources, sustaining domestic animals’ welfare, health and reproduction, and safe food production (RS-MESTD-Integrated and Interdisciplinary Research (IIR or III)-46002)
DOI: 10.1590/0001-3765201820150182
PubMed: 29424386
WoS: 000429682000021
Scopus: 2-s2.0-85046540519
URI
http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0001-37652018000100219&lng=en&tlng=enhttps://radar.ibiss.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3067