Bob Harrison <[log in to unmask]> wrote:


>The only exception to the above is when a strong source of nectar is 
coming
>in. Then the bees can pull water to cool the hive from the nectar.


Most accounts suggest that water collecting and nectar collecting are both 
essential but separate tasks.  What we must remember is that water is not 
only for cooling, water is also essential for brood rearing and liquefying 
stores for consumption.  Nectar source, and nearby water source are both 
essential for maximum colony development.  Dr. Eva Crane reported that 
small colonies given only water developed more rapidly than those given 
syrup or those not receiving either water or syrup.   

According to Seeley, one way a colony will cool a hive is to smear water 
on combs and other interior surfaces which evaporate.  Because it is the 
evaporation process of the water droplets which carries away the heat,   
if the cooling process evolves bees  distributing droplets all through the 
hive for cooling,  I don't think this strategy could be exploited by the 
colony because the nectar would probably create a sticky mess on comb 
surfaces if deposited in the area of the broodnest where temperature 
regulation is most essential.  
 
In a article from Malcolm Sanford, (also a Bee-L list member),
disputes the assumption that water is not essential year round.

“…I was going to say that readily-available water is less important during 
a nectar flow, but we are learning that this is not always the case, at 
least during hot weather in arid climates.”  (end quote)
 
Here’s some more reasons from the article why beekeepers should provide 
water for bees rather than forcing them to find it wherever they can. 

* Brood food is primarily water, close to 80 percent the first day of 
larval growth and about 55 percent on the sixth day. 

* Without sufficient water, colonies do not develop. 
Long ago, Dr. Eva Crane reported that small colonies given only water 
developed more rapidly than those given syrup or those not receiving 
either water or syrup. 

* In the F.A.O. book, Tropical and Sub-tropical Apiculture, Crane lists 
the failure to provide water as one of three serious management errors, 
and relates the lack of water to inadequate brood rearing and colony 
development.  Not surprising because without 90 to 95 percent relative 
humidity in the cells, eggs will not hatch. 

* In warm weather, bees need water also for cooling the hive. W.R. 
Sheesley and E.L. Atkins reported in 1986 that in-field water increased 
bee visits to alfalfa flowers and, subsequently, the set of seed. The 
close source of water freed extra bees for nectar collecting. Not as many 
bees were required to search for and collect water. 

* Atkins reported in 1987 that in-hive waterers improved the 'welfare' of 
colonies equipped with them. Earlier, Moffett, Stoner and Wardecker 
recorded an increase in honey production from colonies with in-hive 
waterers. Such results are to be expected when you consider that the bees 
of one colony collected at least one-half gallon of water in 24 hours in 
experiments by A.W. Woodrow at Tucson, Arizona. 

* Colonies provided with nearby or in-hive water have survived better with 
more brood and honey production during intensive insecticide applications 
around them. 

* The fact that eggs will not hatch in dry conditions and larval feeding 
is to a large degree based on moisture content of food as stated by Dr. 
Jaycox cannot be ignored. Creatively using water in areas where pesticides 
are applied or under conditions where availability of moisture is marginal 
should be explored by the beekeeper. 

http://apis.ifas.ufl.edu/apis88/apmar88.htm

Best Wishes,
Joe

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