On Sat, 1 Apr 1995, Dave Green, Eastern Pollinator Newsletter wrote:
 
> Dear Bee-L'ers:
>
>     As you know from previous discussions on the list, we feed whatever we
> can get the cheapest, and we are always looking for bargains.
>     Well, we just had a wreck upstate and we went up and bought a
> tractor-trailer load of NutraSweet at salvage prices.  We've been really tickl
> ed at the bargain brought about by someone else's misfortune, but then we got
> to thinking:  Will NutraSweet hurt the bees?  Anybody with any experience, or
> would like to comment?
>
> [log in to unmask]
> Dave Green            PO Box 1215, Hemingway, SC   29554
>
I would be very concerned with feeding an artificial sweetener to bees.
The purpose of our feeding is to supply carbohydrates- namely calories,
in order for them to grow. Pollen provides most of the protein and other
nutrients. If you look at artificial sweeteners they are extremely low in
calories. Why not just feed them water. they will get as much benefit!
 
Jerry Worrell