Scientists have created a new type of food that could help honey bee colonies survive even without access to natural pollen.
This breakthrough, developed by researchers at Washington State University and APIX Biosciences in Belgium, could offer new hope for struggling bee populations and the farmers who rely on them.
The new food works like a “Power Bar” for bees. It contains all the essential nutrients that bees normally get from a variety of flowers.
In recent years, bees have been facing serious threats due to poor nutrition caused by urban expansion, farming changes, and extreme weather.
Natural pollen sources are no longer easy to find, and this is hurting bee colonies across the world.
Honey bees are unique compared to other livestock animals because they couldn’t survive long-term on artificial food—until now.
APIX Biosciences spent over 10 years testing thousands of ingredient combinations to create this food.
The final version mimics the nutrients found in pollen, including a key molecule called isofucosterol, which is vital to bee health.
This food was tested in real-world conditions by placing it in colonies deployed for commercial crop pollination in Washington state.
The results were very promising. Colonies fed the new product not only survived without natural pollen but also grew stronger and healthier. In contrast, colonies that did not receive this supplement showed signs of poor health, such as fewer baby bees (larvae), adult bees that couldn’t move properly, and in many cases, complete colony collapse.
One of the test locations included blueberry and sunflower farms, which are known to have pollen that is not very nutritious for bees. Normally, some beekeepers avoid these crops because their bees don’t do well there.
But the new food gave the bees the boost they needed to stay healthy during the pollination season.
Dr. Brandon Hopkins, a bee expert at WSU, explained that bees need a varied diet, just like people. “They can’t get all their nutrition from one type of pollen,” he said. “But it’s getting harder for them to find enough variety in the environment. This new food could fill that gap.”
The idea of giving bees a complete man-made diet is similar to how humans feed livestock like cows and chickens. Dr. Patrick Pilkington from APIX Biosciences pointed out that, until now, bees were the only livestock animals that couldn’t be sustained with artificial feed.
This innovation could have a big impact on global agriculture. Many of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts we eat depend on honey bee pollination. With bee populations in decline and high annual colony losses reported, this new food might be a critical step in preventing further collapse.
APIX Biosciences plans to make the product available for purchase in the U.S. by mid-2026. In the meantime, they are working closely with WSU researchers and American beekeepers to figure out the best way to use it in the field.
With continued testing and support, these “Power Bars” for bees could help ensure a future where both bees and the food they help grow can thrive.
