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Date: | Sun, 25 Mar 2012 16:11:39 -0400 |
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>>... the earliest date it was scientifically proven or first known that a
>> colony of bees -well fortified with honey, would begin to abandon
>> foraging great distances, in favor of foraging closer to home.
Or not at all. We see that well-fed hives pretty much settle down and
stay home in the fall while hungry hives venture everywhere in search of food.
>Perhaps you would like to provide a reference source that this was
> *ever* scientifically proven.
Actually, I think this is pretty well known by beekeepers and maybe a few
scientists :)
Although hives will _scout_ long distances, even when well-provisioned and
with forage nearby, the _foragers_ will predominantly work crops which
demonstrate the best compromise between distance and quality. Competition
and wind will also affect the decision.
It is also well-known by observant beekeepers that bees will forage far
greater distances if necessary when near starving that when well-fed.
Well-fed hives show less interest in marginal and low-reward sources.
We make a point of feeding the hives up early in fall to prevent the dwindling
and early winter loss that occurs if the hives are left hungry, even for a short
while, in fall.
Similarly, in spring, foragers in hives short of feed will sacrifice themselves in
search of stores while better-fed hives are more conservative about foraging.
As for scientific proof, there were some pollination studies of foraging
patterns done back in the last century by Beaverlodge scientists. Sorry, I
don't have the references handy. I suspect that the Hive and the Honey Bee
might have some mention of this and might Mark Winston's book.
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