> My question was about this temporary gap created between the brood and the
> honey stores above.  I do not observe this happening in the Calif
> foothills, as the cluster remains in contact with the honey above.
>

Same here in Maine- except if it is a small cluster that has other issues.
Then it is not so much the lack of contact as it is that they are unable to
keep themselves warm and die of the cold more than from starvation. I have
seen this in bottom boxes with loads of capped stores over them. But it
just does not happen, in my experience, with a strong, healthy colony.with
plenty of stores.

So your experience is my experience. If they are numerous and healthy they
keep moving up.

Bill Truesdell
Bath, Maine

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