A new type of bee feed has been developed that could become key to saving bee populations. The additive is based on genetically modified Yarrowia lipolytica yeast and is enriched with six kinds of sterols — substances that are critically important for bee development but are absent from conventional pollen substitutes.
In the experiment, colonies given this feed raised 15 times more viable offspring than the control group. More than that, they continued reproducing for longer despite having no access to natural pollen. The chemical composition of the new food is almost identical to that of natural food.
Bees pollinate about two-thirds of agricultural crops, but their populations are rapidly declining. This directly threatens humanity’s food security.
