> However, sucrose syrup remains the dominant food supplement for cage
> experiments since past research has proved that all alternative hydrocarbon
> diets, including honey, decrease the lifespan of honey bees when compared
> to syrup.
>

This mostly applies to overwinter bee feed, not to the rest of the year.
Most studies for other seasons say honey is the main diet for healthy bees.
Sugar is a supplement used by the beekeeper for a variety of reasons in the
rest of the year. And the main value of sucrose in northern winters is low
ash content so the bees do not have to poop that often.

So they started off with a false premise and that may have been the cause
for shorter lifespans.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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