> How much nectar would a colony of 50,000
bees need to 'collect' per year if the nectar source
was at a more mid-range rate of 30% sugar
concentration?

Southwick states:
"the approximately
50,000 bees in a single colony produce as
much as 125 kg honey. The flower nectar,
averaging about 40% sugar, is concentrated
to honey averaging about 83%
sugar (17% water). Nectar sugar concentrations
vary from 7-80%, although bees
prefer to collect nectar of 30-50% sugar
(Fahn 1949, Percival 1961, Standifer
1971, Waller 1972, White 1971). Average
sugar concentration was 41% in 515 nectar
samples of 10 northern plant families
reported in Southwick et al. (1981).
The bees, therefore, transport more
than 259 kg (83%/40% x 125 kg) nectar
to the hive."

259kg = about 570 lbs of nectar gathered at 40% sugar
Density of 40% sucrose solution is 470g/L, = 3.9 lb/gal, so about 146
gallons of nectar
-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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