What is the primary source of carbohydrates for adult bees and brood?

Nectar is the primary source of carbohydrates for adult bees and brood because it is a sugar-rich fluid produced by flowering plants. Bees collect nectar and transport it back to the hive, where they process it through regurgitation and evaporation, eventually converting it into honey. This honey serves not only as an energy source for adult bees but also provides essential carbohydrates necessary for the growth and development of brood (larvae and pupae).

While pollen is crucial for providing proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals necessary for brood development, it does not supply carbohydrates. Honey is made from nectar and serves as an energy source, but nectar itself is the raw material from which honey is created. Water, although essential for various bodily functions and maintaining hive conditions, does not provide any carbohydrates. Thus, nectar stands out as the primary carbohydrate source critical for the survival and functioning of bees within the hive.