>Randy, can you clarify these two comments?Are you saying that workers are
fed only secretions, albeit small amounts.

I'm saying that larvae, the queen, and foragers are fed only
secretions--they do not normally consume pollen.  Pollen at most
constitutes only a few percent of larval protein consumption.

> Protein whatever the source is eaten only by adult bees?

Don't get protein and pollen confused.  Pollen is consumed by nurse or
winter bees.  The protein is digested into amino acids, and then used in
metabolism and anabolism.  Excess protein is stored as vitellogenin, which
can be converted into jelly to be used as a currency of protein in the
hive.  All detailed in my articles.

>
> >Solitary bees would have to feed themselves.  What happens with the spp.
> that start the season as a fertilized female and then accrue workers during
> the season?


If they have workers, they would no longer be called "solitary bees."


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

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html

Guidelines for posting to BEE-L can be found at:
http://honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm