> Using forager traps at the hive entrance, Danka et al. (1986) found that the proportion of European bees foraging remained largely constant as colony size varied (although the proportion varied with respect to nectar flow), and an average foraging population constitutes about 4.1% of the adult bees (30–90 g for Colony 1 and 60–140 g for Colony 2). During large nectar flows, a greater percentage of the population forages, constituting about 9.6% of the adult bees (60–210 g for Colony 1 and 140–320 g for Colony 2); these values are consistent with the typical amplitudes of the daily weight cycles observed here.

W. G. Meikle, N. Holst, G. Mercadier, F. Derouané & R. R. James (2006) Using balances linked to dataloggers to monitor honey bee colonies, Journal of Apicultural Research, 45:1, 39-41, DOI: 10.1080/00218839.2006.11101311

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