Nest Climate Regulation in Honey Bee Colonies

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Abstract
Colonies of honey bees can keep the temperature of their cluster within fairly narrow limits over a wide range of outside temperatures. High temperatures are avoided by fanning and evaporation of water. Control at low temperatures depends at least partly on the adjustment of heat loss by expansion and contraction of the cluster. The extent, if any, to which heat production is increased is still uncertain. Little is known about whether the humidity and carbon dioxide content of the atmosphere of the cluster are controlled independently of temperature. The mechanism of temperature control also largely stabilizes humidity. The stimuli causing ventilation fanning need to be investigated further. A nest cavity with walls of low thermal permeability and restricted ventilation may give a colony useful protection at very low winter temperatures, but this thermal protection also has disadvantages. In mild winters, poor ventilation can be dangerous.