>this would seem to imply that it is digested since it is sent

> to the midgut no?
>

Yes, the bolus created appears to go down the tube, not regurgitated.


> >Does that mean then that bees involved in honey gathering would likely be
> eating a significant amount of pollen also?
>

By "eating," do you mean digesting?  Foragers lack the proteolytic enzymes
to digest pollen grains; they are rapidly shunted through their midguts to
the hind gut.

>
> >It does also mention filtering out contaminates and disease agents, I
> would
> infer that was probably the primary function then as I don't know of any
> detrimental effects of having pollen in honey
>

Since honey is created for long-term storage of carbohydrates,
contamination with pollen grains, and their associated yeast, fungal, and
bacterial flora would likely increase the possibility of spoilage.  The
reduction of pathogen spores would clearly be of benefit also.

-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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