I wrote previously:
> Seems to me that there must be a combination of temperature, solar
> radiation and humidity that defines an upper limit to proper
> funcioning -- and survival -- of any invidual bee outside the hive.
> Also seems to me that bees must have some way to know when it is too
> hot to go out.  Maybe the bees simply cannot leave the hive without
> undue risk.

Zach wrote:
> Newest data from our lab indicate the lethal temp /time combinations
> for adult bees are 52 C for 9 min,  49 for 15 min and 47 for 25 min.

I know that presence of sunshine, shade, or breeze can greatly affect how
humans experience any particular air temperature. Muscular activity of the
subject can increase the amount of heat experienced.  This can be beneficial
in cold conditions, or lethal in the heat.

Any details on the conditions under which the experiments were run?  Any
mention of humidity, presence or absence of solar radiation, etc.?  Any
mention of whether the bees were stationary, or active?  I imagine that
these factors could greatly affect survival.

allen
A Beekeeper's Diary: http://www.honeybeeworld.com/diary/

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