THE first winter meeting of Okehampton Beekeepers' saw former group chairman Ray King give a talk on honeybee nutrition.

The talk, which attracted a large audience of around 40 members to Whiddon Down Village Hall on October 9, was wide ranging and covered all aspects of honeybee dietary needs.

Honeybees require carbohydrate as a source of energy, which is primarily sourced from nectar collected from plants. After collecting nectar from a plant, the bees carry it back to the hive in a specially designed organ called their honey stomach, to be used for drying and storing as honey. Only a small amount is consumed in flight.

Bees also require protein, trace minerals and water.

The group's next winter meeting will be the branch's annual meeting at Whiddon Down Village Hall on November 13.