Cold control.
Fig. 4. Smithsonian Institute
Arctic bees are perhaps the most impressive and essential pollinators of the arctic environment, and both bumble bees and honeybees have shown to be successful colonizers.
One species of bumblebee, Bombus polaris, has a circumpolar distribution, found in Arctic islands, arctic Alaska, northern Scandinavia, Canada and Russia. The dense fur restricts heat loss during foraging and pollination of plants such as arctic willows, arctic poppies and arctic roses (Heinrich & Vogt 1993). Withstanding temperatures of less than 10°C, highly adaptive mechanisms of heat insulation has allowed the successful colonization of these bees in such a hostile environment. Their ability to endure very low temperatures is based on heat production by shivering, social behaviours within the colony, and reproductive strategies.
Honeybee species, in particular Apis mellifera ligustica and Apis cerana, have demonstrated an even higher tolerance for cold temperatures (Seeley & Visscher 1985). Existing in temperatures of -30°C, survival is achieved through several co-adapted processes. Careful selection of the nest site, sufficient storage of honey (20+kg), and the tight clustering of nearly 20,000 bees inside one nest ensures that warmth is efficiently created and contained (Seeley & Visscher 1985). Further, habits of brood rearing during mid winter have developed to achieve maximum use of the short summer seasons in the cold climate (Seeley & Visscher 1985).
One species of bumblebee, Bombus polaris, has a circumpolar distribution, found in Arctic islands, arctic Alaska, northern Scandinavia, Canada and Russia. The dense fur restricts heat loss during foraging and pollination of plants such as arctic willows, arctic poppies and arctic roses (Heinrich & Vogt 1993). Withstanding temperatures of less than 10°C, highly adaptive mechanisms of heat insulation has allowed the successful colonization of these bees in such a hostile environment. Their ability to endure very low temperatures is based on heat production by shivering, social behaviours within the colony, and reproductive strategies.
Honeybee species, in particular Apis mellifera ligustica and Apis cerana, have demonstrated an even higher tolerance for cold temperatures (Seeley & Visscher 1985). Existing in temperatures of -30°C, survival is achieved through several co-adapted processes. Careful selection of the nest site, sufficient storage of honey (20+kg), and the tight clustering of nearly 20,000 bees inside one nest ensures that warmth is efficiently created and contained (Seeley & Visscher 1985). Further, habits of brood rearing during mid winter have developed to achieve maximum use of the short summer seasons in the cold climate (Seeley & Visscher 1985).