From: "Lucinda Sewell" <lucindajohn@sewellhome.freeserve.co.uk>
Date: Sun, 14 Jan 2001 21:05:14 -0000
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@egroups.com>
Subject: Re: A. m. m. and cell size

Robert Brenchly writes:

> "It's probably because a larger body loses heat more slowly, as it has
> a relatively smaller surface area compared to its mass."

With respect, Robert, I think we need to compare individual bees from the
same colony on various comb sizes before making that conclusion re honeybees. My knowledge is still fledgling, AND OPEN TO CORRECTION, but great heat is generated by wing muscles in 'warm up' mode, so if the size difference is in fatty
tissue, not exoskeleton/muscle then the larger area to mass ratio may even
be beneficial? I'm not scientifically educated...or very clued up on
honeybees, so please correct me if I'm skewing my facts. Or add to my
knowledge.

Any photos of big and small bees from same colony 49ers? Or measurements of
bees, not comb? Has anyone compared Cubital Index before and after
shakedown?

Regards
John Sewell