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COLONY LIFE CYCLE <br /> Seasonal Cycle O <br /> Honey bee colonies are perennial and do not In late January, the queen begins laying a few eggs <br /> hibernate in winter. When temperatures drop below within the center of the cluster and the workers feed <br /> 50°F, the workers cluster together in a ball (Figure the larvae "brood food"from glands in their heads.As <br /> 8). The bees on the outside of the cluster are like a spring progresses, the queen lays more eggs per day. <br /> blanket, keeping the heat within the cluster. The bees Workers can obtain protein to stimulate the glands by <br /> on the inside of the cluster are less densely packed consuming pollen stored in the nest from the previous <br /> and shiver their flight muscles, generating heat within summer. The first fresh pollen available to colonies <br /> the cluster all winter long.As temperatures rise and will come from trees: primarily maple, willow, and oak <br /> fall during the winter, bees move the cluster and (Figure 9). This nutritious pollen will stimulate the <br /> rearrange themselves within it. The temperature in queen to rapidly lay eggs, resulting in colony growth. <br /> the middle of the cluster can be 70-80°F even when The first fresh nectar available to bees will come from <br /> ambient temperatures drop below zero. Bees derive some maple and oak trees, and then from dandelions <br /> the energy they need to shiver throughout the winter and other early flowering plants. <br /> by consuming honey collected over the summer. <br /> The management strategies outlined in this manual In early spring, a colony that survives winter will <br /> ensure that colonies have sufficient honey stores for contain 15,000-30,000 worker bees and one queen <br /> the winter, while allowing the beekeeper to harvest (Figure 10). In late April and into May, colonies will <br /> excess stores. begin rearing drones. Colonies grow quickly in spring <br /> and early summer. By mid-May, a colony may have <br /> over 40,000 bees, and if they become crowded (i.e., <br /> if the beekeeper does not divide the colony into two • <br /> colonies or provide more space by adding additional <br /> boxes) a colony may have the irresistible impulse to <br /> - k_ . swarm. The population of the colonies will grow in <br /> 9" <br /> June and plateau around July or August when there <br /> "�} +'' 1:-47)4'" <br /> j ,�M �", are usually 45,000-60,000 adult worker honey bees <br /> ' '"' L , in a strong, healthy colony. During this early summer <br /> ` F�; ' t• Y„- growth phase, colonies in Minnesota will collect <br /> • <br /> '�� ' , : - , nectar and pollen primarily from clover, alfalfa, and <br /> ar ztr4r1 Vc� basswood (linden) trees. In addition, they will collect <br /> r ., r pollen and nectar from many other flowering plants, <br /> � weeds, shrubs, and trees. A colony makes the most <br /> honey when the peak population coincides with the <br /> main honey flow due to the abundance of foraging <br /> bees and available nectar from blooming flowers. <br /> � . . <br /> In late summer and early fall, colonies collect nectar <br /> � ` , and pollen from goldenrod and asters; very valuable <br /> "'` I sources of late season nutrition that ensure they <br /> have enough honey packed in the nest for winter. <br /> ?; 4 Sometime in September and into October, the queen <br /> '� stops laying eggs and the colony enters its winter <br /> `. cluster phase. The last bees produced in the season <br /> are the "winter bees.” These bees need to be healthy 410 <br /> Figure 8. Bees clustering together in in order for the colony to survive until the spring when <br /> a hive(photo by Jessica Helgen). the queen starts to lay eggs again and new bees are <br /> produced. <br /> Beekeeping in Northern Climates 8 <br />