Hi Everyone,
The bees were able to fly a little bit so I captured another round of
photos and have measured them for December.
Averages
Large
Sept Oct  Nov  Dec
1.37 1.31 1.29 1.33 length
0.96 0.94 0.93 0.96 wing
0.45 0.38 0.37 0.35 thorax
0.46 0.46 0.47 0.45 abdomen
Averages
Small Cell Hives
Sept Oct  Nov  Dec
1.32 1.29 1.31 1.32 length
0.92 0.91 0.93 0.92 wing
0.45 0.35 0.37 0.34 thorax
0.45 0.45 0.47 0.43 abdomen
The large cell bees are generally slightly bigger than the small cell
sized bees. Both the thorax and the abdomen measurements decreased for
both cell sizes.
Single Hive Averages
Large Cell Hive
Sept Oct  Nov  Dec
1.45 1.44 1.29 1.36 length
1.04 0.97 0.93 0.98 wing
0.42 0.37 0.37 0.37 thorax
0.46 0.46 0.47 0.45 abdomen
Single Hive Averages
Large Cell Hive
Sept Oct  Nov  Dec
1.38 1.39 1.31 1.32 length
0.93 0.93 0.93 0.90 wing
0.40 0.35 0.37 0.34 thorax
0.45 0.45 0.47 0.44 abdomen
With the limited amount of bee flight, it's harder to get enough properly
oriented bees in the photos. Some sample sizes were smaller this time.
With such marginal weather the bees tend to make quick flights and return
to the cluster. Few loitter at the entrance.
I have tried to coax them out by disturbing the entrance. But the bees
that come out are in a defensive posture and attack the ruler. Very few
are suitable for measuring.
I initially chose the photographic approach because it was quick and
easy. It also allowed me to measure living bees. Another approach, that
might be interesting, would be to collect bee parts and allow them to dry
in a dessicator. The individual parts could be accurately measured and
compared.
The problems with getting enough bees properly oriented to avoid visual
errors would be eliminated. But drying may introduce it's own set of
errors.
Some Thoughts
Dennis

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