Extreme heat is overwhelming honey bees’ hive cooling
As temperatures rise, new findings show that extreme heat is overwhelming honey bees’ ability to regulate hive temperatures across vulnerable regions.
New findings suggest extreme heat is pushing honey bee colonies past their comfort zone, and the damage is not limited to a few tired foragers. Researchers tracking colonies through a scorching Arizona summer found that hive temperatures can swing hard during heat waves, even when bees try to keep brood areas near their safe range.
What the New Findings Show inside Real Hives
The work followed nine colonies over roughly three months as daytime highs repeatedly crossed 40°C. Average brood temperatures stayed close to ideal, but the edges of the brood nest faced long stretches outside the safe window, and that kind of stress stacks up fast. Smaller colonies were hit the worst, with wider daily swings and sharper population drops. And yes, it sounds harsh, but heat can shorten adult lifespans too. For quick updates shared by a major research-news handle.
Why this is Showing Up More often Now
Hotter, longer heat waves make evaporative cooling harder, especially when humidity rises, so the hive “air-conditioner” starts failing at the exact time it’s needed most.
