> What factors are associated with the transition from a summer bee to a winter bee population? Because the annual appearance of long-lived bees coincides with the onset of winter in temperate climates, signals external to colonies and associated with the seasons have been examined as factors that could induce the appearance of winter bees


Jurgen Tautz writes in 'the buzz about bees' (end of chapter 8):

"Bees that can precisely communicate their message turn out to be those that develop at temperatures close to 36°C, the highest that has been found in the brood nest. This group of bees also possesses better learning abilities, and better memories than do their cooler sisters."

"The temperature at which bees are raised also influences their lifespan. Adult foragers usually live for about 4 weeks, and are called summer bees by beekeepers. Individuals that survive the winter (winter bees), and are again active in the following season as foragers, can live up to 12 months. Pupae raised at the lowest temperatures in the brood nest are the most likely to become winter bees."

I'm having trouble with the last sentence, because I don't believe that winter bees are the 'dumbest' bees... I cannot find other sources that confirm this hypothesis. Does anybody have info about this ?

Thanks,

Kris
Belgium

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