One of the chronic problems that pose a serious threat for honey beesˈ continuity and survival is pollen and nectar deficiency caused by annual weather fluctuations. The current study aims to find an effective solution for this problem by providing honey bee colonies with diets characterized by appropriate cost, nutritional rich value, palatability and positive impacts on various biological activities. Three new artificial diets were prepared, diet W: based on wheat germ, diet S: based on soya beans and diet M: based on a mixture of equal proportions of wheat germ and soya beans. In the current study, several investigations have been performed including consumption rates of examined diets, sealed worker brood, stored honey areas, coloniesˈ strengths and pollen grainsˈ weights. Outstanding palatability rates were reported for examined diets, especially for diet S. Moreover, distinguished impacts for all investigated diets have been recorded by fed colonies, including sealed brood areas, produced honey areas, population densities and collected pollen. Consequently, the current study highly recommend diets W, S and M to be applied in apiaries due to their prominent results related to activity and strength development of honey bee colonies.

Malnutrition is a main threat to honey bees. Health and the inability to resist adverse conditions are the main losses resulting from nutritional deficiencies. To address this problem, substitute diets are provided to honey bee colonies at dearth times. The present study was conducted to examine the vital impacts of 2 new substitutes on caged honey bee workers. The main components of both diets (A and B) were sugar, powdered milk, and brewer's yeast fortified with chamomile extract. Diet A was distinguished with chickpeas and corn. Diet B was distinguished with soybeans and wheat germ. Palatability of both diets has been reported in this study with more tendencies towards soybeans and wheat germ components. In comparison with control workers fed on sugar syrup only (1:1), workers fed on diets A and B have shown higher significant survival rates, in addition to outstanding findings of thoraces weights and mandibular and hypopharyngeal glands development. Accordingly, palatability and nutritional diversity in diet proteinaceous sources should be considered in provided substitutes. Diets A and B are highly recommended to be applied in apiaries.