Which nutrient is crucial for the development of bee larva?

Royal jelly is a nutrient-rich secretion produced by worker bees and is specifically crucial for the development of bee larvae. This substance is fed to all larvae in the colony during their early development stages, but it's particularly important for those that will develop into queen bees. Royal jelly contains a variety of proteins, sugars, vitamins, and fatty acids that are essential for growth and development.

In contrast, while pollen is a primary source of protein that adult bees need to produce royal jelly and for general nutrition, it does not directly provide the same developmental benefits to larvae. Nectar serves primarily as an energy source, translating into sugars that adult bees consume, but it also lacks the specific nutrients required for larval growth. Honey, produced from nectar and also serving as a carbohydrate source for bees, does not offer the necessary developmental compounds that royal jelly does. Thus, royal jelly stands out as the essential nutrient specifically formulated to ensure the successful metamorphosis of bee larvae into mature bees.