Short-term effects of simulated bad weather conditions upon the behaviour of food-storer honeybees during day and night (Apis mellifera carnica Pollmann)

Abstract

In an observation hive with about 5 000 bees, food-storers were classified by their behaviour (taking food from foragers and transporting it to the food-storing region) and then observed during day and night under good and bad (rainy) weather conditions. All food-storers were 13-19 days old. They were highly active at times of nectar flow, spending most of their time on the dance floor. At times of no food income, they stayed mostly in the broodnest and on the food stores, and were inactive 70% of the time, which might save energy for the colony; they did not take over any duties from other temporal castes. A pronounced day and night rhythm in food-storer behaviour was recorded only when there was a nectar flow. Food donations and receptions were most pronounced on good weather days, but regardless of weather and time of the day these mostly occurred in the broodnest. The importance of these patterns is discussed.