The Thermology of Wintering Honey Bee Colonies – Support Material

FIGURE 1. - Mean of 5 years' monthly and daily (maximum and minimum) temperatures during test period at Madison, Wis.

FIGURE 2. - Temperature readings (º F.) and brood and bee location one comb west of center of cluster at outside temperature of 7º.

FIGURE 3. - Enlarged view of brood area in figure 2, showing composition in relation to temperatures ( º F.).

FIGURE 4. - Seasonal location and size of cluster in check, packed, and tape colonies, showing views parallel to combs and corresponding rear views.

FIGURE 5. - Effect of outside temperature change on isotherms of check colony, showing views parallel to combs and corresponding rear views.

FIGURE 6. - Effect of drop in outside temperature on cluster movement of check colony, showing views parallel to combs and corresponding views at right angles from rear.

FIGURE 7. - Cluster movement of check colony during day and night with little or no change in outside temperature, showing views parallel to combs and corresponding rear views.

FIGURE 8. - Temperature variation in check colony versus outside temperature. (Thermocouple 8T is three-eights inch above bottom edge of top body and 1C is one-fourth inch below top edge of center body; others are 1 inch apart in their respective directions.)