reflection apropos of summer solstice ...
 
Does you know if it exist some papers, researchs, observations about
the capacity of bees to record the lenght of the day and the
difference between two records from day to day ?  When you observe the
honeybee colonies in our latitudes (50degres 30'N) there is some
evidences they could have this.
 
1.
In Nov., with 6 to 10 degre C (40 to 50d F) and obviously no crop we generally
find no brood. The days are decreasing.  In Feb., with maybe -20 degre C (0d F)
and also no crop, each established colony is brooding a beautiful
nest (Seeley T.D. Honeybee Ecology (1984)).  The days are increasing.
 
2.
Dave Pehling, WSU Coop. Extension ([log in to unmask]) says:
> I have definitly noticed the inclination of an ESTABLISHED hive to draw
> drone comb wherever there is empty space.  Apparently, a hive "likes" lots
> of males available if there are adequate stores, workers, etc.
 
Quite OK when the days are increasing but actually, it is not so
evident : There is a crop but the drone brood is not renewed, some is
eliminated and some drones are ejected !  The remainers are hiding in
some nooks.  The days don't change, but ... they are no more
increasing !  And, in a few weeks, we'll see a lot of abandoned drones,
no more "liked" (days decreasing?) !
 
3.
Swarming is a bee activity for the late increasing days period : the top !
After that, it is an accident !
 
What is your mind(s) ?
Cheers          Jean-Marie
 
 
Local blooming informations ...
Lat. : 50o 30'N  - Long. : 4o 56'E -   Alt. : 200 m  -  North Sea at 200 km
 
Tea linde (Tilia) is finishing its buzzy blooming.
fields of "Epilobium spicatum Lam." and "Spiraea ulmaria L." fully blooming.
 
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 Jean-Marie Van Dyck             email : bitnet    jvandyck@bnandp51
 B.P. 102                               internet  [log in to unmask]
 B-5000    NAMUR (Belgium)              School Med. - Physiol. Chem. dept
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