Hi Joel,

Bee populations can be estimated by approximating how much of a frame is
totally covered with workers or occupied by
brood.  The most accurate way to estimate populations is to remove frames
and estimate coverage before there is significant bee flight.  A quicker way
to estimate how many bees there are is to look at a super of clustered bees
by looking from the top and bottoms of the super and estimating how many
frames are covered.  Medhat Nasr validated this cluster technique when he
was at Davis and it works well when temperatures are cool and bees are still
clustering (< 12C).  The rule of thumb for Langstroth equipment (deeps) is a
full frame of comb holds ~2,400 adults (Burgett and Burikam 1985) or ~15,000
eggs, larvae or pupae (Winston 1987).

Burgett, M., and I. Burikam.  1985.  Number of adult honey bees
(Hymenoptera: Apidae) occupying a comb: a standard for estimating colony
populations.  J. Econ. Entomol.  78: 1154--1156.

Winston. M. L. 1987.  The Biology of the Honey Bee.  Harvard University
Press.  Cambridge, Mass.

Regards,
Adony


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