On the contrary, hives that are not well-insulated are much more exposed to weather conditions. This enables more bees to spend more time outside the hive pollinating plants. As a result, the internal temperature is not as affected by either hot or cold weather conditions. When a hive is effectively insulated, the heat bees generate inside the hive doesn’t escape. Why insulated hives matter for crop pollination These strategies are effective at stabilising internal hive temperature, but they are not ideal for pollination bees spend their time stabilising hive temperature instead of foraging for nectar and pollen. In warmer weather, bees use their wings to fan air into the hive, cooling it down. Bees generate heat by vibrating their wing muscles, keeping the brood warm. Luckily, bees have developed efficient techniques to maintain a consistently ideal temperature inside the hive. ![]() And this, of course, results in increased crop pollination. Healthy brood equals a strong colony overall not only because there is strength in numbers, but also because the pheromone produced by the brood triggers the adult bees in the colony to go foraging for nectar and pollen, increasing the colony’s food supply. A colony needs to maintain a narrow temperature range of 33 to 36☌ to be at their strongest and smartest. Internal hive temperatures above 36☌ also dumbs down adult bees, and many of the developing brood do not survive. ![]() These adults are also (literally) half as smart, and bad fliers due to malformed wings. If the temperature drops below 33☌ the developing bees take longer to become adults. At this temperature, most of the brood (bee eggs, larvae and pupae) survive and develop into strong, healthy and smart adults. The ideal internal hive temperature is around 34☌. (Photo credit: Willem Augustyn-Goussard) Ideal internal hive temperature Well-insulated bee hives enable bees to forage and pollinate flowers and crops, even on very warm days. Both situations are detrimental to the overall strength of the hive and, consequently, the bees’ ability to pollinate crops. Too hot and the brood suffers high mortality. Too cold and the larvae don’t develop normally. ![]() And almost like Goldilocks, bees like the temperature inside their hive to be just right. Home is where the best insulation is, according to honeybees.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |