From: deelusbybeekeeper <deelusbybeekeeper@excelonline.com>
Date: Sun Dec 17, 2000 00:07am
Subject: Re: winter cluster size

Hi to all in the Biological Beekeeping egroup:

Barry wrote below:

> I noticed this fall during my last couple of hive inspections that the
> amount of bees (cluster size) in the two 4.9 hives were considerably less
> than my other hives on 5.4 cell size. Is this something to be concerned

Reply:

I myself do not feel that this is something to be concerned about Barry.
Your hives are not necessarily wintering with fewer bees in them. Smaller
bees cluster tighter due to their size. The equivalent number of bigger
enlarged honeybees would take up more room.

You must remember that beekeepers lose well over 1,000 cells per frame with enlarged honeybees on 5.4 mm foundation size vs for example 4.9 mm cell size foundation. This spreads the broodnest out more, and in populous colonies can very easily add another super. Likewise, using 4.9 mm foundation compacts the broodnest, fitting more bees into a smaller area of space. Compactness also helps to increase cluster temperature, giving the
clustered bees better survival chances and quicker, critical brood initial startup, in the spring. Five small bees consume no more stores than 4 big
bees also, by scientific studies.

Sincerely,

Dee A. Lusby, Beekeeper
Tucson, Arizona, USA