From midsummer in a prosperous year, many hives face a critical juncture. Worker bees, numbering around 50,000 in a healthy colony, return with vast amounts of nectar and pollen, causing cells to overflow. The Queen, having increased her brood by thousands, finds herself squeezed for space. The hive is crowded, all combs are occupied, and "fanner" bees struggle to keep the colony cool. Returning bees cluster at the entrance, reluctant to enter the congested hive.
During midsummer, a thriving hive can house up to 60,000 bees. Worker bees tirelessly gather nectar and pollen, filling the cells to capacity. The Queen, responsible for laying up to 2,000 eggs per day, finds her domain increasingly cramped. The hive's internal temperature can rise to 95°F (35°C), making it difficult for "fanner" bees to maintain a cool environment. This overcrowding and heat stress can lead to a critical situation.
Worker bees are the backbone of the hive. They perform various tasks, including foraging, nursing, and temperature regulation. In summer, their primary focus is on gathering resources and maintaining the hive's internal environment. However, when the hive becomes overcrowded, their efficiency is compromised, leading to a potential crisis.
When the hive becomes too crowded, bees prepare to swarm. Swarming is a natural process where a portion of the colony, including the Queen, leaves to form a new colony. The remaining bees must have a new Queen to ensure the hive's continuity. To prepare for this, worker bees construct special cells, known as Queen cells, by sacrificing other cells around them. These cells are larger and have thicker walls to accommodate the developing Queens.
The existing Queen lays eggs in these specially prepared cells. These eggs, which would typically develop into worker bees, are fed a richer diet by nurse bees. This diet, known as royal jelly, ensures the larvae develop into Queens. The cells are enlarged as the larvae grow, and after a week, the new virgin Queens emerge.
As the new Queens prepare to emerge, the old Queen becomes restless. She attempts to assert her authority but is ultimately forced to leave the hive. The temperature inside the hive rises, prompting the bees to swarm. The Queen settles nearby, and the bees cluster around her, forming a ball-shaped swarm. This is the beekeeper's opportunity to capture the swarm and relocate it to a new hive. If not captured, scout bees will find a new permanent home, and the swarm will be lost.
After the swarm, the original hive, now reduced by more than half, resumes its normal activities. A few days later, the strongest new Queen emerges. She cuts the capping of her cell, which has been thinned and smoothed by nurse bees, and steps out onto the comb. Her first task is to feed from the nearest honey cell. She then seeks out other Queen cells, ripping them open and killing her rivals. If she is not quick enough, she may have to fight other potential Queens to the death. Alternatively, she may join an "afterswarm" if she decides not to fight for the position of Queen.
The hive operates under a strict law: "One Queen - one kingdom." This law ensures that only one Queen rules the hive at any given time. The new Queen's emergence and subsequent actions uphold this law, maintaining order within the hive.
Understanding the life of bees in summer is crucial for any aspiring beekeeper. The hive's dynamics, from overcrowding to swarming, highlight the complex and efficient nature of bee colonies. By recognizing these patterns, beekeepers can better manage their hives and ensure the health and productivity of their bees.
For more detailed information on beekeeping, visit the American Beekeeping Federation and the Bee Informed Partnership.
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