I have recently spoken with a beekeeper that is feeding maple syrup to his
colonies.  He states that they take it more readily than sucrose syrup.  This
might be because it is more concentrated than the sucrose syrup normally fed in
spring @ 1:1.  Expense of maple syrup is not a barrier as his supply comes free.
 
Some questions I would like some help with;
 
o>  I assume that maple syrup contains more than sugar(s). If I recall my botany
correctly, sugars from photosynthesis are converted into starch for storage in
the roots. Is this sent upwards in the spring with/without conversion?
 
o>  Do/can the enzymes that the bees add convert starch to its component
sugar(s)?
 
o> Can maple syrup cause problems (dysentery) when these stores are consumed by
the colony?  Concentration of the sap yields some scorched sugar products.
 
Any thoughts?  Answers and further insight would be helpful.
 
Thanks,
 
Dave Pritchard
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