Scot Mc Pherson wrote: >Pollen is the primary nutritive source for larvae, sugar is the primary >nutritive source for adult bees. However, some pollen is digested by the >bees, and honey is an ingredient of the bread given to larvae. Right. What I said was an oversimplification. But there simply is no credible evidence that bees on a diet of real pollen and cane sugar will suffer. Whatever trace elements there are in honey, are not required by them for their survival nor their prosperity. Furthermore, some impurities in honey can caused illness in overwintering colonies. To follow the human nutrition metaphor: sure, if you only ate white bread instead of whole wheat, you would miss out on the protein and vitamins in the natural grain. But if you put cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and onions on the bread, you'll do fine. Honey is only the energy component of bees' diet and does not supply a meaningful amount of vitamins and minerals. -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---