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Weather different in Bees Native stingless.
Native stingless bees are highly dependent on weather, as it affects their activity levels, foraging, and survival. In winter, they reduce activity and may seal their brood with insulating layers called involucrum to survive colder temperatures. On hot days, they require shade and, in extreme heat, may need temporary relocation to a cooler spot to avoid heat stress and death. They typically only fly when outside temperatures are above 18∘C.
Effects of weather on native stingless bees
Cold weather:
Bees become sluggish and do not leave the hive when temperatures are below
18∘C18 raised to the composed with power cap C
18∘𝐶
.To survive cold, they may insulate their brood with multiple layers of a waxy material called involucrum.
Long periods of cold can be harmful, as they reduce foraging and can lead to a lack of food stores.
Some species, like A. australis, are more tolerant of cold than others, such as T. carbonaria.
Hot weather:
On very hot days, hives need to be fully shaded, and sometimes a damp towel can be placed on top of the hive to help cool it.
Extreme heat can be deadly, and on days above 40∘C, it may be necessary to temporarily move the hive to a cooler location, like a shed or garage.
General:
Bees are most active on warm, sunny days.
Heat stress can reduce individual bee body size and lifespan.
The long-term effects of climate change and heatwaves could negatively impact the long-term survival of stingless bee species.
Involucrum.
In native stingless bees, an involucrum is a multilayered covering of wax and resin that surrounds the brood cells, which are the honeycomb structures where larvae develop. Its primary purpose is to protect the brood nest from damage and to provide insulation. This structure is a key component of the nest, often found inside a tree hollow, and is built by the bees from secreted wax and collected resin.
Composition: The involucrum is made of a combination of wax and resin.
Function: It serves as a protective and insulating layer for the developing brood.
Location: It forms a dense covering around the brood cells within the nest.
Construction: It is a man-made structure built by the worker bees.
Involucrum Wax and Resin.
An involucrum is a protective sheath of cerumen, a mixture of bee wax and tree resin, that surrounds the brood chamber in stingless bee nests. Its primary functions are to provide insulation, which helps with thermoregulation, and to create a hardened, anti-microbial structure. The resin's antimicrobial properties can even seep into the honey, giving it unique characteristics.
Involucrum and cerumen
Cerumen: This is the name for the wax-and-resin mixture that stingless bees use to build their nests.
Involucrum: This is a special application of cerumen as a layered, protective enclosure for the brood. It is built in multiple layers to provide insulation and support.
Resin's role: The resin provides strength and antimicrobial properties to the cerumen, making the involucrum a robust and hygienic shield.
Key functions of the involucrum
Thermoregulation: The involucrum helps maintain a stable temperature within the nest, which is crucial for the development of the brood. It provides insulation, especially during colder months, though its effectiveness is linked to the bees' ability to maintain brood temperature within a certain range.
Protection: It protects the delicate brood from the outside environment, physical damage, and microbes.
Antimicrobial properties: The antimicrobial properties of the resin are vital for the health of the colony. This also gives the honey stored in the pots a unique taste and higher antimicrobial content.
Where is it found?
Surrounding the brood: The involucrum is a layer that surrounds the brood cells, often during winter to protect them from the cold.
Not always present: It is not a permanent structure in all species or in all nests, sometimes appearing only during specific seasons or in response to temperature changes.
Other uses: Bees also use cerumen for other purposes in the nest, such as building food storage pots for pollen and honey, as well as general construction and repairs.
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