1. Protein: Protein is the most basic substance of life. Pollen is the main source of protein for bees. In fact, bees cannot do without protein whether they grow and develop or maintain normal functions. For example, honeybee larvae that lack protein will develop stunted or even die.
2. Lipids: Lipids are essential substances for the normal survival of bees. The lipids needed by bees are mainly converted from sugars. In fact, lipids play an irreplaceable role in the growth, development and life activities of bees. For example, beeswax secreted by the wax glands of worker bees is a fatty substance.
3. Sugar: Sugar is the main source of energy for bees. The sugars bees need mainly come from nectar secreted by plant nectaries. Bees collect large amounts of nectar during the season when resources are abundant, brew it into honey, and store it in the hive. When nectar resources are scarce, the bee colonies feed on the stored honey.
4. Minerals: Minerals are essential substances for bees to survive normally. Although bees do not have much demand for minerals, they are absolutely indispensable. The minerals bees need mainly come from nectar and pollen. Bees also collect minerals from rocks or soil when minerals are lacking.
5. Vitamins: Vitamins are nutrients necessary for the normal survival of bees. The vitamins bees need mainly come from pollen. In fact, the growth and development, metabolism, and physiological activities of bees are inseparable from vitamins. For example, lack of vitamins in the larval stage will prevent normal eclosion.
6. Water: Bees, like other animals, cannot live without water. Under normal circumstances, bees obtain water from nectar and dew. In addition, bees' water demand is affected by factors such as temperature, humidity, and bee colony activity. For example, bees will go to water sources to collect water during dry and hot seasons.
Bees, like other animals, need six major nutrients, namely protein, lipids, sugars, minerals, vitamins and water. Bees cannot survive normally without any of these nutrients. For example, bees lacking protein in the larval stage will not be able to complete their development. , In addition, the requirements for various nutrients in different developmental stages of bees are also very different.