Abstract: A method for monitoring bee populations in an ecosystem by monitoring and recording bee visits to a bee feeding apparatus having labyrinthine passages. The bee feeding apparatus is configured to count and monitor bee visits to the feeder and transmit the bee visit data via one or more communication devices, thus providing an estimate of the economic and ecological benefit of a bee population in an ecosystem. The bee feeding apparatus is useful for dispensing water, bee feeding supplements, or treatments to wild or domesticated bees. The circuitous entryway hinders or inhibits other insects such as wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets from entering the innermost regions of the feeder and accessing the bee feeding supplements.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for increasing pollen foraging activity in colonies of bees by application of a synthetic brood pheromone to the colony. The synthetic brood pheromone may comprise methyl palmitate, ethyl palmitate, methyl stearate, ethyl stearate, methyl oleate, ethyl oleate, methyl linoleate, ethyl linoleate, methyl linolenate and ethyl linolenate; or an active mixture comprising one or more of the enumerated esters. Exposure of bees to the synthetic brood pheromone increases the proportion of pollen foragers in the colony. The invention also provides a pollination unit comprising a collection of bees and the synthetic brood pheromone, and a device capable of releasing the brood pheromone in a controlled fashion within the colony.