This may seem a strange request. I have been asked to comment on a project being undertaken by some university students. But I am a beekeeper, not a scientist so I am turning to this forum for help!
The scenario is a small honey bee colony housed in a small double chambered container with no access to the outside. What would be the best way of keeping alive as many bees as possible (ideally all) for a period of 6 weeks? Think of it as a transportation period of 3 weeks with a follow-on period of 3 weeks to observe colony behaviour in spring/early summer conditions. One could start with young winter bees, set up continuing winter conditions for the first 3 weeks to keep the colony inactive in the winter cluster then re-instate spring/early summer conditions for the last 3 weeks. Would a colony of 800-1000 bees be able to survive an ambient temperature of say 10 to 12 degC for a period of 3 weeks, assuming adequate stores?
Comments or pointers to appropriate people/papers welcomed.
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