Pollen Stores not Insulation

boca said:

I think this hypothesis is founded and worth the effort to experiment it.
I would make three groups of hives at the end of season.
1. with plenty of pollen stores (4-5 frames)
2. with no pollen
3. without manipulation
I believe the experiment is feasible in a country where there is no available pollen for foraging after the autumn feeding.

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beeno said:

insulation may not be the determining variable (ceteris paribus assumption) as to the level of colonies' food consumption, but the level of pollen stores as this will determine the level of winter brood rearing which in turn is the largest consumption of stores.

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The observations of brood in mid-winter and the brood stops also seem to indicate [that]: Brood rearing in mid-winter is initiated by a gain in the water balance of the whole cluster. It has therefore a high survival value for wintering colonies, even though food consumption is increased.

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Jefree pointed out that “optimum-sized colonies” have fewer population losses in winter than those with smaller or larger than optimum. We can now confirm this and explain it as follows:
. Larger than optimum clusters will develop thirst.
. Smaller than optimum colonies will accumulate an embarrassing water surplus.

Flights for water can restore the balance when thirst develops; if this is not possible then bees will die from dehydration. These bees come from the centre [of the cluster], are accustomed to warmth without contributing to it and will chill quickly. Cleansing flights can alleviate an excess of water from a cluster.
When this is not possible, dysentery would seem to be inevitable. Brood rearing is a natural way out of the dilemma and the production of liquid glandular secretion – brood food – removes water from the individual. Higher cluster temperatures increase rates of evaporation. This and/or any changes in the weather which permit cleansing flights and lose clustering may then enforce a brood stop.
If no such cleansing flights become possible and brood rearing is not possible either, (due to queenlessness, old queen, caged queen, drone laying queen, a cluster too small to maintain brood nest temperatures, protein exhaustion, Nosema), then dysentery is unavoidable for such a cluster.

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Nuclei can overwinter if housed in special shelters and if assisted during exceptionally cold spells. On the other hand, we should always remember that very strong colonies can be damaged by heavy insulation or by attempts at artificial hive heating. Losses due to thirst and delayed spring development can be the result.

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