Overwintering honey bees: biology and management

Authors

1 Animal Science Department Research, Kurdistan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Sanandaj, Iran

2 Animal Science Research Institute of Iran, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization, Karaj, Iran

3 Economic and Social Sciences Research Department, Kurdistan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Sanandaj, Iran

4 Animal Science Research Department, Kurdistan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Sanandaj, Iran

Abstract

In cold and temperate climates, honey bees (Apis mellifera) survive the winter by entering a distinct physiological and behavioral state. In recent years, beekeepers are reporting unsustainably high colony losses during the winter, which have been linked to parasitization by Varroa mites, virus infections, geographic location, and variation across honey bee genotypes. Here, we review literature on environmental, physiological, and social factors regulating entrance, maintenance, and exit from the overwintering state in honey bees in cold and temperate regions and develop a testable model to explain how multiple factors may be acting synergistically to regulate this complex transition. We also review existing knowledge of the factors affecting overwintering survival in honey bees and providing suggestions to beekeepers aiming to improve their colonies’ overwintering success.

Keywords

Honeybee Science Journal
Volume 13, Issue 25
March 2023
Pages 48-61

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