Interesting discussion all around.

My observation running typically very large colonies is that the foraging activity is directly related to the available resources and that a static measurement of percentages needs to consider this. Large colonies don't send a high percentage of foragers out on futile missions and conversely when an abundant flow is on they recruit a higher than normal number to that activity. A good measure and I don't know if Jerry's counters can see it is what number of bees are scouts looking for forage and what number are bringing home the groceries. Anicdotily I can say that a large colony on a strong flow will have noticeably fewer house bees during daytime inspection and the same colony during a dearth will have a lot loafing around and hanging out on the porch. Receivers and processors are limited by the available storage space but if given empty comb will balance their tasks to the incoming nectar. Without nectar incoming perhaps more scouts go looking but even more foragers just take the day off.

Sounds like a good plan but alas we have a strong flow so I have to go to work. 

Paul Hosticka
Dayton WA

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