What do bees primarily feed their larvae?

Bees primarily feed their larvae a mixture of pollen and royal jelly, which provides essential nutrients for growth and development. Pollen is a key source of protein and other vital vitamins and minerals necessary for the larvae's development, while royal jelly, a nutrient-rich secretion produced by nurse bees, offers a concentrated source of sustenance that helps larvae grow quickly. This combination is particularly important because larvae require a balanced diet that supports not only their immediate growth but also their long-term health and transformation into adult bees.

In contrast, sugar water serves primarily as a food source for adult bees and is used for energy but does not provide the nutritional requirements necessary for developing larvae. Honey, while also important for adult nutrition, lacks the specific proteins and growth factors found in the feeding mixture of pollen and royal jelly that are critical for larval growth. Propolis, a resinous material collected by bees, has medicinal properties and is used in hive construction and defense, but it is not a food source for developing larvae. Thus, the combination of pollen and royal jelly stands out as the primary food source specifically tailored to meet the needs of bee larvae.