Grant Proposal

Tochi Chukwuocha

Stockton University

BIOL-3110-001 Animal Behavior

Dr. Tim Haresign

May 02, 2024

Introduction

The importance of honeybee foraging decisions in colony health and survival has been a

topic of much research. Most studies on honeybee foraging behavior have focused on factors

influencing nectar collection, such as sugar concentration and flower color (Gurel et al., 2017).

However, honeybees collect two vital resources: nectar for immediate energy and pollen for

raising young bees. While nectar is crucial for daily needs, pollen is essential for brood

development (Ingolf et al., 2017). This distinction raises the intriguing possibility that honeybee

foragers adjust their behavior based on the colony's internal state, specifically its pollen reserves.

Several studies have illuminated the multifaceted nature of honeybee foraging decisions,

revealing that they extend beyond the simple maximization of nectar intake. For instance,

Scofield & Mattila (2011) observed that worker bees raised with restricted larval pollen exhibited

diminished foraging performance in adulthood. This observation underscores the profound

impact of a colony's nutritional history on the behavior of its foragers, suggesting that early

developmental experiences shape foraging tendencies. Furthermore, research on landscape

composition has provided insights into the adaptive capabilities of honeybees in response to

resource availability (Danner et al., 2020). It has been observed that honeybee foragers

demonstrate a remarkable ability to prioritize flower patches with higher pollen-to-nectar ratios

when confronted with depleted pollen stores within the hive, indicating a strategic response to

internal colony needs.

Building upon these findings, our research endeavors to elucidate the intricate

relationship between pollen availability and honeybee foraging behavior. By manipulating pollen
stores within experimental hives, we aim to investigate whether changes in internal pollen

reserves exert a discernible influence on forager decision-making processes. We hypothesize that

colonies with diminished pollen reserves will exhibit a heightened propensity to direct foragers

towards patches offering a greater abundance of pollen relative to nectar, compared to colonies

with ample pollen stores. This study holds significant promise in deepening our understanding of

the mechanisms underlying honeybee foraging decisions and elucidating how these decisions are

intricately intertwined with the internal dynamics and needs of the colony. Through this

exploration, we aim to contribute valuable insights to the field of pollination ecology and

beekeeping practices, with potential implications for enhancing both honeybee health and

ecosystem resilience.

Additionally, we plan to incorporate a comparative analysis of foraging behavior among

different honeybee species to explore potential variations in response to pollen availability. By

examining how species-specific traits influence foraging strategies, we can gain a more

comprehensive understanding of the adaptive capabilities of honeybees and their implications for

colony dynamics. This comparative approach will enrich our investigation and provide valuable

insights into the evolutionary drivers shaping honeybee foraging behavior.

Methods

Understanding honeybee foraging behavior and its correlation with pollen availability is

crucial for ecological and agricultural sustainability. Conducting a two-year experiment requires

meticulous planning and methodological precision to capture seasonal variations and colony

dynamics. This paper outlines the methods employed in conducting such an experiment,

encompassing hive management, pollen manipulation, data collection, and analysis.

Two healthy honeybee colonies, managed by experienced beekeepers, are essential for the

experiment's success. Proper hive maintenance, including regular inspections and health

monitoring, ensures colony well-being throughout the study period. Hive tools, bee smokers, and

protective clothing are employed for safe hive manipulation and management. Additionally, due

to the logistical challenges of maintaining colonies over two years, it's decided to rent the hives

from beekeepers, ensuring continuity and expertise in hive management.

Indirect manipulation of pollen availability involves collaborating with local landowners

to identify natural flowering areas with varying pollen densities. Targeted planting and habitat

management techniques encourage the growth of high-pollen-producing plants in specific zones

near the hives. In the second year, roles of high and low pollen zones are reversed through

controlled mowing or shade introduction, enriching the low zone with high-pollen plants. This

manipulation ensures a comprehensive understanding of honeybee foraging behavior under

varying pollen availability scenarios.

 Season-long observations are conducted systematically throughout the two years,

focusing on high and low brood rearing periods. Worker bees from each colony are marked with

unique identifiers, and their foraging behavior is tracked using direct observations and pollen

trapping methods. Data collection includes tracking marked bees' visits to high and low pollen

zones, monitoring foraging times, and quantifying pollen volumes collected by each colony. The

meticulous tracking of individual bees allows for a detailed analysis of foraging preferences and

patterns over time.

Collected data is analyzed across both years, considering seasonal variations and colony

health parameters. Proportions of foragers visiting high vs. low pollen zones are compared, along

with average foraging times and pollen volumes collected. Correlations between foraging

behavior and colony health metrics such as brood production and adult bee population are

explored to understand the relationship between pollen availability and colony dynamics.

Statistical analyses, including regression models and correlation tests, are employed to identify

significant patterns and associations within the data.

The experiment's design revolves around manipulating the natural environment, posing

challenges in fully controlling variables like weather patterns and flowering dynamics. To

address this, observations span multiple brood-rearing cycles, capturing long-term dynamics and

seasonal variations in honeybee foraging behavior and pollen stores. Utilizing land covered by

the CRP (Conservation Reserve Program) provides a diverse habitat for honeybees, with native

wildflower seeds strategically planted to influence pollen availability near the hives. Techniques

such as mowing equipment or controlled burning permits are employed to alter vegetation
density, managed within budgetary constraints. This approach ensures a comprehensive

understanding of honeybee responses to changing environmental conditions over time.

The experiment relies on rented hives to maintain continuity and consistency in hive

management practices over the study duration. Experienced beekeepers oversee the colonies,

ensuring their well-being and minimizing disruptions to colony health and behavior. By

integrating these aspects into the experimental design, the study aims to provide robust insights

into honeybee foraging behavior and its correlation with pollen availability. Despite the

challenges posed by environmental manipulation, meticulous planning and methodological

precision are employed to achieve reliable results, advancing understanding in honeybee ecology

and pollination science.

Ethics

The proposed study on honeybee foraging behavior is grounded in ethical animal

research principles, emphasizing the well-being of the honeybee colonies. Ethical standards

ensure responsible scientific exploration with due regard for the welfare of the subjects.

Honeybee colonies are regarded as integral participants, not merely subjects, in uncovering the

nuances of their foraging behavior.

Central to ethical treatment of bee colonies is the principle of minimizing disruption to

natural activities, a responsibility often shouldered by experienced beekeepers. By employing

their expertise, beekeepers can manage hives with a delicate touch, ensuring that interventions

are limited and respectful of the bees' natural rhythms. This approach prioritizes the well-being
of the colony, recognizing that minimal disturbance fosters a harmonious environment for the

bees to thrive. Through careful hive manipulations and thoughtful distance observations,

beekeepers can preserve colony integrity while also promoting a sense of trust and security

among the bee population.

In addition to managing hive manipulations, beekeepers prioritize the comfort and

welfare of individual bees during marking procedures. Meticulously executed bee marking

involves using non-toxic paint and minimizing capture times to reduce any potential discomfort

or stress on the bees. This attention to detail ensures that marking procedures serve their intended

purpose without causing undue harm to the bees involved. By upholding high standards of care

and handling during marking activities, beekeepers demonstrate their commitment to ethical

beekeeping practices and the well-being of the colonies under their care.

Furthermore, ethical beekeeping extends to the methods used for data collection within

beekeeping research. Non-invasive techniques, such as the use of stopwatches and visual

observations, are employed to gather valuable information about colony behavior and health

while minimizing disturbance to the bees' habitat. This approach emphasizes the importance of

maintaining habitat integrity and respecting the bees' natural environment during the research

process. By prioritizing non-invasive data collection methods, researchers can gather meaningful

insights into bee behavior without compromising the well-being of the colonies being studied.

Open communication with beekeepers ensures alignment on welfare practices, while

adherence to established guidelines underscores ethical conduct. Findings are disseminated

transparently, contributing to collective knowledge while upholding ethical research principles.

The study's hypothesis, focusing on honeybee foragers' response to pollen availability, guides a

two-year investigation into seasonal variations and colony dynamics, exemplifying meticulous

attention to ethical considerations and setting a precedent for responsible research practices.

Additionally, a beehive will be rented to facilitate the study, ensuring that the colonies are cared

for by experienced professionals.

Budget

Honey Bee Foraging Experiment Equipment Budget

A. Hive Equipment (x2 colonies)

● Honeybee Colonies (Apis mellifera) and

Beekeeper…………………….……………..……..$2,000

(Considering a two-year experiment, renting is an option)

● Bee
smoker…………………………………………………………………………………..$20.99

● Bee veil and protective clothing………………………………………………..…$39.99 -

$49.99

● Hive tool…………………………………………………………………………..…….$8.99

B. Bee Marking

Passive Integrated Transponders (RIFD Tags) and Reader:

● 100 RIFD
Tags……………………………………………………………………………………$495

● RFID Tag
Reader……………………………………………………………………………...$767

C. Data Collection in the Field

● Clipboards and data sheets | Basic clipboard and paper for recording observations:

- Clipboard………………………………………………………………………..$9.49
- Sheet Packet……………………………………………………………………6.95

● Pack of stopwatches for multiple observers 12 per

pack……………….…………………..…$26.99

● Kodak Pixpro AZ405-BK (documenting bee

behavior)........................................................$179.99
● GPS
unit…………………………………………………………………………………….$139.90

D. Zone Management (Year 1 & 2)

● Native wildflower seeds (high-pollen producing varieties) | Cost depends on chosen mix
and area size – $20-$50 per lb

● Mowing equipment or controlled burning permits (variable) | Cost depends on chosen

method (renting equipment or permits) – $204.99 (mowing equipment) & $0-$100+

(Burning Permit fee Varies from state to state)

● Shade structures (gazebo)......................................................95.99

E. Tracking

● 50 muRata MAGICSTRAP® LXMS31 chip…………………………………………$28

● Low power, low cost aerials (quantity varies)..........................................................$70-74

● 2 W UHF long-range reader (receiving frequency 860–960 MHz)...............................$78.10

● Copper wire (0.5 mm diameter, ca. 15cm length).........................................................$22.95

● Fast-drying epoxy resin for tag attachment (minimal amount)........................$9.99 (16 oz)

● Polystyrene board with pins for securing bees during tagging………………………$5.99

● Small open plastic box to position tagged bees during testing……………………….$16.99

● Control laptop to run the reader and display

data………………………………………….$289

F. Pollen Traps

● 2 Pollen traps………………………………………………………………$101.90
G. General Lab Supplies

● Electronic spreadsheets and notebooks (already covered with computer access)

● Cool, dry storage containers for pollen samples……………………………………$6.99

H. Salaries of additional personnel

● Research Assistant with a background in Biology and Animal Behavioural

Studies……………………………………………………………………………….$50,800 per
year

I. Location

● Land Covered by the CRP (Conservation Reserve Program)................$100-$125 per acre

(Depending on contract)

PROPOSAL TOTAL $106,704.54

Discussion and Judgment

The study contributes to a deeper understanding of how forager behavior is influenced by

the colony's internal state. The hypothesis that colonies with diminished pollen reserves will

exhibit altered foraging behavior compared to colonies with ample pollen stores underscores the

significance of internal colony dynamics in shaping forager decisions. The findings of this study

have broad implications for pollination ecology and beekeeping practices. By elucidating the

mechanisms underlying honeybee foraging decisions, the study enhances our ability to promote

honeybee health and ecosystem resilience. Understanding how honeybees respond to changes in

pollen availability can inform management strategies aimed at mitigating the effects of pollen

scarcity, ultimately benefiting both honeybee populations and agricultural systems reliant on

pollination services. Similarly, the comparative analysis of foraging behavior among different

honeybee species enriches our understanding of the adaptive capabilities of honeybees and their

implications for colony dynamics. The experimental design, encompassing meticulous hive

management, pollen manipulation, and data collection methods, is essential for capturing the

nuances of honeybee foraging behavior over a two-year period. The decision to rent hives from

experienced beekeepers ensures continuity and consistency in hive management practices,

addressing logistical challenges associated with maintaining colonies over an extended duration.

Additionally, the manipulation of pollen availability through targeted planting and habitat

management techniques provides valuable insights into how honeybee foragers respond to

varying resource availability scenarios. The proposed study adheres to ethical principles in

animal research, prioritizing the well-being of honeybee colonies throughout the experimental

process. By minimizing disruption to natural activities and employing non-invasive data

collection methods, the study ensures that bee welfare is upheld while generating valuable
scientific insights. Open communication with beekeepers and adherence to established guidelines

further demonstrate the commitment to ethical conduct in beekeeping research.

 References

Introduction

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honeybee colony dynamics and foraging to explore multifactorial causes of colony failure.

Jstor. https://www.jstor.org/stable/24032378?sid=primo&seq=1

Danner, N., Keller, A., Ha¨rtel, S., & Steffan-Dewenter, I. (2017, August 30). Honey bee

foraging ecology: Season but not landscape diversity shapes the amount and diversity of

collected pollen. National Center for Biotechnology Information.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

Di Pasquale, G., Salignon, M., & Le Conte, Y. (2013, August 5). Influence of Pollen

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Stressed as Larvae Become Poor Foragers and Waggle Dancers as Adults. National

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