Michael Smith, et al describe the extended phenotype

> optimal resource allocation pertains not only to the organism itself, but also to its extended phenotype if it is an organism that builds an external structure 

This refers to the honey comb and its contents. It does not include structures like trees, caves, barrels, hives. Seeley showed that honey bees select cavities based on volume, height, entrance size, etc. but they do not factor R-value. They will occupy thin metal barrels, water meters, boxes of all sorts. The main value of a cavity is protection against predation. 

Cavity dwelling bees evolved in a warm climate regime. At some point the population was divided into bees that could survive long periods in cavities by conserving energy and populations that simply moved when conditions were poor. Note that conservation of energy is beneficial during periods of drought or inclement weather of any kind, not just cold. 

PLB

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