Energetic supplementation for maintenance or development of Apis mellifera L. colonies

Background: The nutritional requirements of honeybees (Apis mellifera) for their complete development need to be supplied through food sources available in the environment, since honeybees are insects that depend directly on blossoming food sources. However, at certain times a food-supply reduction can promote nutritional stress, thus necessitating food supplementation for maintenance or production stimulus of the colonies. Thus, the determination of optimal energy supplementation can assist in the maintenance and production of colonies. Methods: Twenty Apis mellifera beehives were used (with five beehives per treatment): CTL, control (without feeding); SJ, sugarcane juice; SS, sugar syrup; and IS, inverted sucrose. We evaluated the food consumption, population development, and physiological state (expression of vitellogenin and hexamerin 70a genes) of each colony. Results: The results showed that the supplementation of colonies with sugar syrup resulted in an intermediate consumption level (894.6 ± 291 mL) and better development (384.9 ± 237.3 and 158.3 ± 171.6 cm2, sealed and open brood, respectively). Furthermore, this diet ensured that the colonies were in a good physiological state, as bees fed this diet presented the highest relative expression levels of vitellogenin and hexamerin 70a among all the diets tested. Conclusions: Therefore, sugar syrup is concluded to be the best artificial energetic food for use in the supplementation of honeybee colonies.(AU)

Rapid assessment of the orchid bee fauna (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossini) in the vicinity of an urban Atlantic Forest remnant in São Paulo, Brazil

Euglossini (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Apini), also known as orchid bees, are endemic to the Neotropical region (Nemésio and Rasmussem, 2011). They are well-known and widely distributed taxon in the Atlantic Forest with more than 60 species (included in four distinct genera) registered in this biome (Nemésio, 2009; Garraffoni et al., 2017). The Atlantic Rain Forest originally occupied about 15% of the Brazilian territory, but it was completely fragmented in forest remnants, and now covers 11-16% of its original area (Ribeiro et al., 2009; Joly et al., 2014). Our knowledge about orchid bee diversity in urban forest fragments is very scarce (Nemésio and Silveira, 2007; Cordeiro et al., 2013), although diverse communities of wild bees have been surprisingly found in cities around the world (Nemésio and Silveira, 2007; Burr et al., 2016). Thus, our aim in this study was a rapid assessment of the orchid bee fauna in the vicinity of an Atlantic Forest remain. The strategy of intensive sampling over a few days in the rainy season are common and has been demonstrated to be very useful to know the orchid bee fauna of an area (Nemésio, 2013a, b). Data were collected in an urban area (22º4940”S-47º0610”W; altitude 630 m), among fruit and ornamental trees, distant 200 m of the east edge of an Atlantic Forest remnant called Santa Genebra Forest (Campinas, SP), the second larger urban forest in Brazil (252 ha). It is a semideciduous forest and the regional climate is the Cfa of Köppen (humid subtropical with a hot summer). Orchid bee males were collected at a fixed site using seven bait traps as described in Viotti et al. (2013), and bottles of 0.5 L. Each trap received one of the seven baits: 1,8-cineole, eugenol, vanillin, β-ionone, benzyl acetate, methyl trans-cinnamate, and methyl salicylate; and were randomly hanged in shaded branches at about 1.5 m above the ground and distant at least 2 m from each other. The collections were done during five consecutive days (from day 6th to 10th) in February of both 2015 and 2016, from 9:00 to 17:00 h (when the bees are most active). The scents were replaced every day, and cineole three times a day. Captured bees were pinned, identified and deposited at Coleção de Abelhas da Universidade Federal dos Vales do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri. Taxonomic decisions were based on Moure's Bee Catalogue (Moure et al., 2012). Species accumulation curves were constructed for the data set from each sampling year separately or for both years jointly. Sampling efficiency was also evaluated by nonparametric richness estimators (Chao 1, Chao 2, Jackknife 1, Jackknife 2, and Bootstrap) available in the EstimateS 9.1.0 software (Colwell, 2006).(AU)

Performance of two honey bee subspecies during harsh weather and Acacia gerrardii nectar-rich flow

Both climatic factors and bee forage characteristics affect the population size and productivity of honey bee colonies. To our knowledge, no scientific investigation has as yet considered the potential effect of nectar-rich bee forage exposed to drastic subtropical weather conditions on the performance of honey bee colonies. This study investigated the performance of the honey bee subspecies Apis mellifera jemenitica Ruttner (Yemeni) and Apis mellifera carnica Pollmann (Carniolan) in weather that was hot and dry and in an environment of nectar-rich flora. The brood production, food storage, bee population and honey yield of Yemeni (native) and Carniolan (imported) colonies on Talh trees (Acacia gerrardii Benth.), a nectar-rich, subtropical, and summer bee forage source in Central Arabia were evaluated. Owing to their structural and behavioral adaptations, the Yemeni bees constructed stronger (high population size) colonies than the Carniolan bees. Although both groups yielded similar amounts of Talh honey, the Yemeni bees consumed their stored honey rapidly if not timely harvested. A. m. jemenitica has a higher performance than A. m. carnica during extremely hot-dry conditions and A. gerrardii nectar-rich flow.

Performance of two honey bee subspecies during harsh weather and Acacia gerrardii nectar-rich flow

Both climatic factors and bee forage characteristics affect the population size and productivity of honey bee colonies. To our knowledge, no scientific investigation has as yet considered the potential effect of nectar-rich bee forage exposed to drastic subtropical weather conditions on the performance of honey bee colonies. This study investigated the performance of the honey bee subspecies Apis mellifera jemenitica Ruttner (Yemeni) and Apis mellifera carnica Pollmann (Carniolan) in weather that was hot and dry and in an environment of nectar-rich flora. The brood production, food storage, bee population and honey yield of Yemeni (native) and Carniolan (imported) colonies on Talh trees (Acacia gerrardii Benth.), a nectar-rich, subtropical, and summer bee forage source in Central Arabia were evaluated. Owing to their structural and behavioral adaptations, the Yemeni bees constructed stronger (high population size) colonies than the Carniolan bees. Although both groups yielded similar amounts of Talh honey, the Yemeni bees consumed their stored honey rapidly if not timely harvested. A. m. jemenitica has a higher performance than A. m. carnica during extremely hot-dry conditions and A. gerrardii nectar-rich flow.(AU)

Comportamento higiênico em colônias de abelhas africanizadas submetidas à ingestão de pólens de milho transgênico e convencional / Behavior hygienic in colony of bees africanized submitted to ingestion of transgenic and conventional cornpollens

Em Apis mellifera as próprias abelhas realizam um controle biológico da colônia contra agentes infecciosos causadores de doenças de crias, evitando assim a necessidade do uso de produtos químicos, e que a doença seja transmitida para toda a colônia. Fatores externos, como a qualidade do alimento podem influenciar a frequência do comportamento higiênico (CH). O pólen é um alimento importante para as larvas e abelhas jovens após a emergência. Enquanto são alimentados com pólen, ocorre o desenvolvimento de estruturas fisiológicas envolvidas no olfato e performances de aprendizagem, portanto, os efeitos do pólen contendo proteínas transgênicas (PTs) merecem atenção. Objetivou-se avaliar o CH em colmeias submetidas à ingestão de pólens de milho transgênico e convencional. As dietas fornecidas as abelhas constituíram-se dos tratamentos: pólen de milho convencional; pólen de milho transgênico expressando as PTs Cry1A.105 e Cry2Ab2; pólen de milho transgênico expressando as PTs Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab2 e CP4-EPSPS; dieta sem pólen de milho e dieta controle. Perfurou-se uma área com 100 células, e uma área vizinha foi delimitada para constituir o controle. Após após24 h foi realizada a contagem de células vazias. Os resultados demonstraram diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos. Todos os tratamentos apresentaram média superior a 80% de CH. Porém, ao longo das avaliações ocorreu uma diminuição gradativa da taxa de CH para os tratamentos que continham PTs. Ainda que os dois tratamentos tenham confirmado CH, esta diminuição pode ser indicativo de efeitos subletais do pólen de milho transgênico sobre o CH das colmeias

Apis mellifera in the bees themselves perform a biological control colony against infectious agents causing diseases of pups, thus avoiding the need of using chemicals, and the disease to be transmitted to the entire colony. External factors such as the quality of food can influence the frequency of hygienic behavior(CH). Pollen is an important food for the larvae and young bees after emergence. While are fed with pollen, the development occurs physiological structures involved in olfactory learning and performance, so the effects of pollen containing transgenic proteins (PTs) deserve attention. Aimed to evaluate the CH in hives who ingested transgenic and conventional maize pollen. The diets provided the bees were constituted the treatments:conventional corn pollen; GM maize pollen expressing PTs Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2; GM maize pollen expressing PTs Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab2 and CP4-EPSPS; diet without corn pollen and diet control. An area 100 cells are pierced, and a neighboring area was defined to be the control. After 24 h was performed empty cell count. The results demonstrated significant differences between treatments. All treatments showed average of more than 80% of CH. But along the evaluations occurred a gradual decrease in the CH rate for treatments containing PTs. Although both treatments have confirmed CH, this decrease may be indicative of sub-lethal effects of transgenic corn pollen on the CH hive

Comportamento higiênico em colônias de abelhas africanizadas submetidas à ingestão de pólens de milho transgênico e convencional / Behavior hygienic in colony of bees africanized submitted to ingestion of transgenic and conventional cornpollens

Em Apis mellifera as próprias abelhas realizam um controle biológico da colônia contra agentes infecciosos causadores de doenças de crias, evitando assim a necessidade do uso de produtos químicos, e que a doença seja transmitida para toda a colônia. Fatores externos, como a qualidade do alimento podem influenciar a frequência do comportamento higiênico (CH). O pólen é um alimento importante para as larvas e abelhas jovens após a emergência. Enquanto são alimentados com pólen, ocorre o desenvolvimento de estruturas fisiológicas envolvidas no olfato e performances de aprendizagem, portanto, os efeitos do pólen contendo proteínas transgênicas (PTs) merecem atenção. Objetivou-se avaliar o CH em colmeias submetidas à ingestão de pólens de milho transgênico e convencional. As dietas fornecidas as abelhas constituíram-se dos tratamentos: pólen de milho convencional; pólen de milho transgênico expressando as PTs Cry1A.105 e Cry2Ab2; pólen de milho transgênico expressando as PTs Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab2 e CP4-EPSPS; dieta sem pólen de milho e dieta controle. Perfurou-se uma área com 100 células, e uma área vizinha foi delimitada para constituir o controle. Após após24 h foi realizada a contagem de células vazias. Os resultados demonstraram diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos. Todos os tratamentos apresentaram média superior a 80% de CH. Porém, ao longo das avaliações ocorreu uma diminuição gradativa da taxa de CH para os tratamentos que continham PTs. Ainda que os dois tratamentos tenham confirmado CH, esta diminuição pode ser indicativo de efeitos subletais do pólen de milho transgênico sobre o CH das colmeias(AU)

Apis mellifera in the bees themselves perform a biological control colony against infectious agents causing diseases of pups, thus avoiding the need of using chemicals, and the disease to be transmitted to the entire colony. External factors such as the quality of food can influence the frequency of hygienic behavior(CH). Pollen is an important food for the larvae and young bees after emergence. While are fed with pollen, the development occurs physiological structures involved in olfactory learning and performance, so the effects of pollen containing transgenic proteins (PTs) deserve attention. Aimed to evaluate the CH in hives who ingested transgenic and conventional maize pollen. The diets provided the bees were constituted the treatments:conventional corn pollen; GM maize pollen expressing PTs Cry1A.105 and Cry2Ab2; GM maize pollen expressing PTs Cry1A.105, Cry2Ab2 and CP4-EPSPS; diet without corn pollen and diet control. An area 100 cells are pierced, and a neighboring area was defined to be the control. After 24 h was performed empty cell count. The results demonstrated significant differences between treatments. All treatments showed average of more than 80% of CH. But along the evaluations occurred a gradual decrease in the CH rate for treatments containing PTs. Although both treatments have confirmed CH, this decrease may be indicative of sub-lethal effects of transgenic corn pollen on the CH hive(AU)

Energetic feedings influence beeswax production by Apis mellifera L. honeybees / Alimentação energética influencia produção de cera por abelhas Apis mellifera L.

The effect of different types of energy feeding (sugar syrup, inverted sugar and juice of sugar-cane) on beeswax production and its economic feasibility are evaluated. Twenty beehives of Africanized Apis mellifera were selected, and five were used for each type of feeding. The treatments were T1 (sugar-cane juice), T2 (sugar syrup) and T3 (inverted sugar). Feedings was provided by Boardman feeders and the amount was adjusted according to consumption. A layer of beeswax was manually set up into the honeybee nest and beeswax built area was measured weekly. Total reducing sugar, calorimetry, dry matter and ashes of all feedings were analyzed. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance with Tukeys test to determine differences among averages. The average consumption of inverted sugar was significantly lower than that of other treatments. The highest beeswax production average occurred in the sugar syrup treatment. The highest average of ashes, dry matter and reducing sugar occurred, respectively, in sugarcane juice, inverted sugar and sugar syrup. Sugar syrup may be an alternative energy source for beeswax production, although sugar-cane juice may be more profitable.(AU)

Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram avaliar a interferência de alimentos energéticos na produção de cera e sua viabilidade econômica. Foram selecionadas 20 colmeias de abelhas Apis mellifera africanizadas, cinco por tratamentos, sendo: T1: Garapa; T2: Xarope de açúcar e T3: Açúcar invertido. Os alimentos foram fornecidos por meio de alimentador tipo Boardman e a quantidade ajustada em função do consumo. A produção de cera foi analisada semanalmente. Foram analisados os açúcares redutores totais, a calorimétrica, a matéria seca e as cinzas. Para a análise dos dados foi utilizada a Análise de Variância seguida do teste de Tukey. O consumo médio de açúcar invertido foi significativamente menor em relação aos outros tratamentos. A maior produção média de cera ocorreu no T2. O maior valor de açúcar redutor e calorimetria foram encontrados no T2, em comparação com os demais tratamentos. Por outro lado, o T2 apresentou o menor valor de cinzas. Para matéria seca, o maior valor foi encontrado em T3. Com relação à análise econômica, esta tornou-se mais viável como uso da garapa de cana-de-açúcar. Pode-se concluir que o xarope de açúcar pode ser uma alternativa para induzir a produção de cera em abelhas Apis mellifera embora a garapa seja economicamente mais viável.(AU)

Energetic feedings influence beeswax production by Apis mellifera L. honeybees / Alimentação energética influencia produção de cera por abelhas Apis mellifera L

The effect of different types of energy feeding (sugar syrup, inverted sugar and juice of sugar-cane) on beeswax production and its economic feasibility are evaluated. Twenty beehives of Africanized Apis mellifera were selected, and five were used for each type of feeding. The treatments were T1 (sugar-cane juice), T2 (sugar syrup) and T3 (inverted sugar). Feedings was provided by Boardman feeders and the amount was adjusted according to consumption. A layer of beeswax was manually set up into the honeybee nest and beeswax built area was measured weekly. Total reducing sugar, calorimetry, dry matter and ashes of all feedings were analyzed. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance with Tukeys test to determine differences among averages. The average consumption of inverted sugar was significantly lower than that of other treatments. The highest beeswax production average occurred in the sugar syrup treatment. The highest average of ashes, dry matter and reducing sugar occurred, respectively, in sugarcane juice, inverted sugar and sugar syrup. Sugar syrup may be an alternative energy source for beeswax production, although sugar-cane juice may be more profitable.

Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram avaliar a interferência de alimentos energéticos na produção de cera e sua viabilidade econômica. Foram selecionadas 20 colmeias de abelhas Apis mellifera africanizadas, cinco por tratamentos, sendo: T1: Garapa; T2: Xarope de açúcar e T3: Açúcar invertido. Os alimentos foram fornecidos por meio de alimentador tipo Boardman e a quantidade ajustada em função do consumo. A produção de cera foi analisada semanalmente. Foram analisados os açúcares redutores totais, a calorimétrica, a matéria seca e as cinzas. Para a análise dos dados foi utilizada a Análise de Variância seguida do teste de Tukey. O consumo médio de açúcar invertido foi significativamente menor em relação aos outros tratamentos. A maior produção média de cera ocorreu no T2. O maior valor de açúcar redutor e calorimetria foram encontrados no T2, em comparação com os demais tratamentos. Por outro lado, o T2 apresentou o menor valor de cinzas. Para matéria seca, o maior valor foi encontrado em T3. Com relação à análise econômica, esta tornou-se mais viável como uso da garapa de cana-de-açúcar. Pode-se concluir que o xarope de açúcar pode ser uma alternativa para induzir a produção de cera em abelhas Apis mellifera embora a garapa seja economicamente mais viável.

Morfometria do aparelho genital e resposta superovulatória de coelhas suplementadas com geleia real / Morphometry of the genital tract and superovulatory response in rabbits supplemented with royal jelly

Avaliou-se o efeito da suplementação com geleia real sobre a morfometria do aparelho genital, resposta superovulatória e qualidade embrionária de coelhas. Trinta e seis fêmeas foram distribuídas em quatro grupos (G), sendo: G1 (n=9) formado por animais não suplementados com geleia real, e G2, G3 e G4 (n=9 em cada grupo) por animais suplementados com 10, 20 e 40mg/dia de geleia real. A superovulação consistiu na aplicação de 40UI de gonadotrofina coriônica equina, seguida por 40UI de gonadotrofina coriônica humana, via intramuscular, 48 horas após, e submetidas à cobrição natural. Os animais foram sacrificados, e os embriões coletados 72 horas após a cópula. Não houve diferença estatística entre tratamentos para as variáveis analisadas. O peso médio do aparelho genital foi de 10,88±0,38g; dos ovários - direito e esquerdo -, 0,28±0,02g; e o índice gonadossomático, 0,02±0,0g. O número médio de estruturas totais recuperadas foi de 9,2±1,4; de embriões viáveis, 8,7±1,4; e de degenerados, 0,5±0,2. Dos embriões viáveis, 5,6±0,8 foram classificados como grau I; 2,3±0,5, como grau II; e 0,8±0,2, como grau III. A suplementação com geleia real na dose de até 40mg/dia não apresentou efeito estimulador sobre o aparelho genital e a qualidade embrionária de coelhas.(AU)

The purpose of this paper was to assess the effect of supplementation of royal jelly on the morphometry of the genital tract, superovulatory response and embryonic quality in adult rabbits. 36 rabbits were distributed in four groups (G), as follows: G1 (n=9): no supplementation with royal jelly, G2, 3 and 4 (n=9): supplementation with 10, 20 and 40mg/day of royal jelly. The superovulatory protocol consisted in the application of a dose of 40UI of Equine Chorionic Gonadotrophin, followed by a dose of UI of Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin, intramuscularly, 48 hours later, and submitted to natural cover. The animals were euthanasiated and the embryos collected 72 hours after copulation. There was no statistical difference for the analyzed variables (P>0.05). The average weight for the female genital tract was 10.89±0.38g; the average weight of right and left ovaries was 0.28±0.02g and the average gonadosomatic index rate was 0.02±0.0g. The number of total recovered structures was 9.2±1.4. The average number of viable embryos was 8.7±1.4 and of degenerated embryos was 0.5±0.2. Viable embryos were morphologically classified as degree I: 5.6±0.8; degree II: 2.3±0.5; degree III: 0.8±0.2. Royal jelly did not present stimulatory effect on organs related to the reproduction of rabbits, nor was it effective to improve their embryonic quality at dosages of up to 40mg of in natura royal jelly.(AU)

Viabilidade financeira da produção de geleia real com abelhas africanizadas suplementadas com diferentes nutrientes / Financial viability in royal jelly production with Africanized honey bees supplemented with different nutrients

O objetivo foi avaliar a viabilidade financeira do fornecimento de cinco suplementos elaborados com diferentes fontes de óleo e proteína para abelhas africanizadas submetidas à produção de geleia real. Foi verificado se os investimentos com a suplementação das colônias proporcionam rentabilidade aos apicultores, a fim de proporcionar opções lucrativas para diversificação dos produtos apícolas. Para avaliar os cinco suplementos, realizaram-se dois ensaios experimentais. Em cada ensaio, 20 recrias foram divididas aleatoriamente em quatro tratamentos. Foram realizadas 15 observações por recria. No ensaio I, os tratamentos foram: óleo de linhaça mais óleo de palma, óleo de linhaça, óleo de palma e controle sem suplementação. No ensaio II, proteína isolada de soja mais levedo de cerveja, proteína isolada de soja, levedo de cerveja e controle sem suplementação. Foram determinados os seguintes indicadores financeiros de produção: receita operacional líquida, custo total, lucro e relação benefício-custo. Suplementos elaborados com mistura de óleos de linhaça mais óleo de palma e proteína isolada de soja mais levedo de cerveja produziram uma relação entre o lucro obtido e o valor calculado dos custos indiretos de produção de 2,58 e 2,50, respectivamente, diferindo do controle (p < 0,05), indicando que o fornecimento destes suplementos é viável e garante benefícios financeiros superiores na produção de geleia real quando comparados com os demais tratamentos e o controle sem suplementação.(AU)

This study was carried out to evaluate the financial viability of five supplements made with different sources of oil and protein, to be given to Africanized honeybees for royal jelly production. The study verified whether the investments with colony supplementation give financial returns to beekeepers, increasing profits for the diversification of bee products. In order to evaluate the five supplements, two experimental assays were performed. In each, 20 colonies were distributed randomly in four treatments, with 15 replications per colony. In assay I, the treatments were: linseed oil plus palm oil supplement, linseed oil, palm oil, and control without supplementation. In assay II, isolated soy protein plus brewers yeast, isolated soy protein, brewers yeast, and control without supplementation were evaluated. The following production financial indicators were determined: net operating income, total cost, profit and benefit-cost ratio. Supplements made with mixtures of linseed oil plus palm oil and isolated soy protein plus beer yeast showed ratios between the obtained profit and the calculated values for indirect production costs of 2.58 and 2.50, respectively, differing from the control (p < 0.05), which indicates it is economically viable to supplement Africanized honey bees in royal jelly production when compared to other treatments and control without supplementation.(AU)

Viabilidade financeira da produção de geleia real com abelhas africanizadas suplementadas com diferentes nutrientes / Financial viability in royal jelly production with Africanized honey bees supplemented with different nutrients

O objetivo foi avaliar a viabilidade financeira do fornecimento de cinco suplementos elaborados com diferentes fontes de óleo e proteína para abelhas africanizadas submetidas à produção de geleia real. Foi verificado se os investimentos com a suplementação das colônias proporcionam rentabilidade aos apicultores, a fim de proporcionar opções lucrativas para diversificação dos produtos apícolas. Para avaliar os cinco suplementos, realizaram-se dois ensaios experimentais. Em cada ensaio, 20 recrias foram divididas aleatoriamente em quatro tratamentos. Foram realizadas 15 observações por recria. No ensaio I, os tratamentos foram: óleo de linhaça mais óleo de palma, óleo de linhaça, óleo de palma e controle sem suplementação. No ensaio II, proteína isolada de soja mais levedo de cerveja, proteína isolada de soja, levedo de cerveja e controle sem suplementação. Foram determinados os seguintes indicadores financeiros de produção: receita operacional líquida, custo total, lucro e relação benefício-custo. Suplementos elaborados com mistura de óleos de linhaça mais óleo de palma e proteína isolada de soja mais levedo de cerveja produziram uma relação entre o lucro obtido e o valor calculado dos custos indiretos de produção de 2,58 e 2,50, respectivamente, diferindo do controle (p < 0,05), indicando que o fornecimento destes suplementos é viável e garante benefícios financeiros superiores na produção de geleia real quando comparados com os demais tratamentos e o controle sem suplementação.

This study was carried out to evaluate the financial viability of five supplements made with different sources of oil and protein, to be given to Africanized honeybees for royal jelly production. The study verified whether the investments with colony supplementation give financial returns to beekeepers, increasing profits for the diversification of bee products. In order to evaluate the five supplements, two experimental assays were performed. In each, 20 colonies were distributed randomly in four treatments, with 15 replications per colony. In assay I, the treatments were: linseed oil plus palm oil supplement, linseed oil, palm oil, and control without supplementation. In assay II, isolated soy protein plus brewer’s yeast, isolated soy protein, brewer’s yeast, and control without supplementation were evaluated. The following production financial indicators were determined: net operating income, total cost, profit and benefit-cost ratio. Supplements made with mixtures of linseed oil plus palm oil and isolated soy protein plus beer yeast showed ratios between the obtained profit and the calculated values for indirect production costs of 2.58 and 2.50, respectively, differing from the control (p < 0.05), which indicates it is economically viable to supplement Africanized honey bees in royal jelly production when compared to other treatments and control without supplementation.