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Date: | Tue, 16 May 2017 13:01:58 -0400 |
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>I have seen zero evidence in
support of the hypothesis that photoperiod is a determining factor in
colony buildup. On the other hand, I have seen considerable evidence to
the contrary.
My observation has been that in northern climes brood initiation starts well before any natural pollen is available, or weather conditions conducive to flight even if it were. We may argue over the definition of "colony buildup". I break it down to two phases. Brood initiation and explosive growth. Brood initiation for my stock begins in mid Jan., judging from brood age at my first inspection, typically in late Feb. At this stage the brood nest is admittedly quite small, a grapefruit sized ball on 2 or 3 frames. I suspect that this is the bees natural method of keeping the colony population stable in a challenging environment where food and warmth are in short supply. When successful it will augment natural loss and ensure a population sufficient to ramp up brood rearing in coming weeks. Just as many colonies ramp down brood production in the fall even in the presence of ample pollen and nectar, initiation must be triggered by more than pollen availability alone. Photoperiod or just some internal clock, I can't say. An argument for the clock would be that in the dark of winter without any kind of flight and a tight cluster, day length may be hard to determine. Interesting that colonies around here coming out of indoor storage (total darkness and 40F) are completely broodless while mine have the above mentioned small nest.
The explosive growth period certainly does coincide with natural pollen coming in. The grapefruit sized nest grows to 5 frames of solid brood and beginning drone production in a few weeks.
We can alter the bees natural rhythm by feeding sub and syrup. Of that there is no doubt. We do much to alter bees natural behavior. From annual swarm cycle, to brood production, to honey production, to colony size. We have a wonderful word for it. It's called beekeeping.
Paul Hosticka
Dayton WA
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