Vitamin C: A friend of bees

Ascorbic acid is an essential nutrient involved in crucial physiological functions such as tissue repair and immune response. In this two-year study, the diets of managed Apis mellifera colonies were supplemented with vitamin C via honey syrup. The effects of ascorbic acid supplementation on (n=120) honey bee colonies were measured over a two-year period. Metrics of colony health were collected once monthly throughout the summer and consisted of colony weight (honey production), capped brood area, and Varroa mite incidence. The treatments consisted of 2, 4, and 8-grams ascorbic acid per liter of honey syrup, as well as a control group. Results of this study concluded an ideal treatment concentration between 2 and 4 g/L, but less than 8 g/L. On average, the 2g/L treatment group built honey stores faster in early spring, and maintained lower mite levels going into autumn; however, the control group had consistently higher average brood scores throughout the season. 8g/L ascorbic acid treatment maintained lower weights per average throughout the season, indicating a negative impact on colony health.