The Winter Solstice is the real beginning of the cycle of the New Year.
It marks the shortest day and longest night of the year, when the sun’s daily maximum elevation in the sky is the lowest.
The Solstice officially arrived at the same instant for all of us on Earth – 11:12 UTC – but our clocks say different times due to varying time zones.
This year the Winter Solstice in Cincinnati happened this morning at 6:12 a.m. EST.
After the Winter Solstice the days gradually get longer until spring season arrives. It’s important to honey bees and how they manage their hive throughout the winter.
Within the darkness of the hive, unable to see that the light lasts a bit longer each day, the Queen Bee senses that the Solstice has arrived. The Winter Solstice is one of the first signs to her that it is time to take up one of the survival tasks of the hive: to begin rearing additional young bees.
Shortly after the Winter Solstice, maybe the next day, maybe several weeks later, the colony raises the core temperature of the winter cluster to about 95*F, the optimal temperature for rearing new bees.
When the colony reaches the desired core temperature the Queen will lay a small patch of brood, using the cells that were emptied of their honey during the preceding weeks of cold.
At first, the amount of brood rearing is small, less than 100 cells. However, as the spring approaches, and the first flowers begin to blossom, the Queen will begin rearing bees at a much higher rate.
The process is slow at first because rearing bees during the winter and keeping the brood nest at 95*F consumes a lot of extra winter stores, more so than if the bees were just clustered together at a cooler 75*F temperature.
They keep warm in the same way we do. They shiver.
Winter Cluster
In cold weather, the bees huddle tightly together. Bees on the outside of the cluster form an insulating shell while bees in the center of the cluster generate heat by shivering their flight muscles.
By eating honey (a high-energy food) the bees can generate just over 100*F in their flight muscles. At the center of the cluster is the Queen, where she remains warm and protected from the cold winter air. As bees on the outside chill, they rotate to the center of the cluster.
The bees are starting their cycle of life once more. Happy Winter Solstice!
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[…] The Winter Solstice And The Bees. […]
Wow. This is so interesting. I love your bee updates. Thank you. And Happy Solstice!
You are so welcome! My best to you and yours!!
xo Deb
[…] The Winter Solstice And The Bees. […]
You tell the most wonderful stories, Deborah! Now I want to eat some honey to stay warm. Happy solstice, happy holidays.
Thank you so much! I light candles and put up my tree tonight, so I have to get busy!! 🙂
xo Deb
“Within the darkness of the hive, unable to see that the light lasts a bit longer each day, the Queen Bee senses that the Solstice has arrived. The Winter Solstice is one of the first signs to her that it is time to take up one of the survival tasks of the hive: to begin rearing additional young bees.”
I used to think this until a more experienced beekeeper corrected me. It’s probably more likely that it’s the workers who realise the days are getting longer. The Queen will be kept in the middle of the cluster, the darkest part, whereas the workers rotate through the cluster and occasionally leave for cleansing flights. In response to the days growing longer they’re likely to increase the amounts of food they give her, encouraging her to start laying again.
Love all the snowy photos. Happy winter solstice to you too!
Thanks for standing up for The Girls!! 🙂
I always appreciate you sharing your knowledge!!
Happy Winter Solstice to you and Drew!!
xo Deb
I want your Solstice – it is going to be 40 degrees C on Christmas day here – argh! Love this bee information.
I must admit I’m enjoying the wintry weather that (amazingly) just started today!!
Glad you like the bee tales… 🙂
xo Deb
Deb Merry Christmas from my home to yours
I have a Star for you blog over here too
http://nutsfortreasure.wordpress.com/2012/12/21/merry-christmas-its-award-time-lol-too-grab-your-star/
Love
Eunice
Thank you so much Eunice! You are so sweet and thoughtful. It does my heart good!
xo Deb
You are welcome Deb.
XO
Eunice
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[…] The Winter Solstice And The Bees (romancingthebee.com) […]
Reblogged this on Romancing the Bee and commented:
Winter cluster!!
So very interesting. Love your first photo of the snowy rooftop. Have a very Merry Christmas, Deb.
I have loved your Solstice postings, especially this one. How very informative a gift of the season this is
Thank you and merry merry!
Especially touched by the exquisite photo of the cluster, I appreciate the information and insight offered in this post.
“They shiver!” Blessings to all the precious bees all over the world, and to you for this beautiful post.
Reblogged this on bdbatta's Blog.