What is the main nutrient that honey provides to bees?

Honey primarily serves as a source of carbohydrates for bees, particularly in the form of sugars like fructose and glucose. These carbohydrates are essential for bees as they provide the energy necessary for various activities, including flying, foraging, and maintaining hive temperature.

Bees convert the sugars in nectar into honey through a process of enzymatic transformation and evaporation, effectively creating a high-energy food source that is stored in the hive for times when nectar is less available, such as during the winter months.

While bees do require other nutrients found in pollen, such as proteins, fats, and vitamins, honey's primary function is as an energy source. This makes carbohydrates the dominant nutrient that honey offers to bees, crucial for their survival and vitality.