Victor Benno Meyer-Rochow asked for publications/references regarding weight
differences between winter and summer bees?

I am not sure, but perhaps some of Justin Schmidt's work on pollen protien
done at the Tucson Bee Lab may include pertinent information.  Personally I
would have guessed the weights would have been the other way around; that
winter bees would weight more than summer beew, WHEN PROPERLY NOURISHED.  I
recall a presentation Justin did at the Eastern Apicultural Society
conference in Maryland, talking about "fat bodies" and pollen.  When
questioned about fall pollen feeding to "fatten bees up for the winter",
Justin fell short of a recommendation because he had not studied
specifically that issue.  But his intuitive answer was, "It couldn't hurt".

You may find something at GEARS at:
http://gears.tucson.ars.ag.gov/

Aaron Morris - thinking keep Tucson open!