Regulation of nectar collection in relation to honey storage levels by honey bees, Apis mellifera

Honey bees collect distinct nutrient sources in the form of nectar (energy) and pollen (nitrogen). We investigated the effect of varying energy stores on nectar and pollen foraging. We found no significant changes in nectar foraging in response to changes in honey storage levels within colonies. Individual foragers did not vary activity rates or nectar load sizes in response to changes in honey stores, and colonies did not increase nectar intake rates when honey stores within the hive were decreased. This result contrasts with pollen foraging behavior, which is extremely sensitive to colony state. Our data show that individual foraging decisions during nectar collection and colony regulation of nectar intake are distinctly different fi-om pollen foraging. The behavior of honey bees illustrates that foraging strategy (and therefore foraging models) can incorporate multiple currencies, including both energy and protein intake.