North Carolina Bee School Practice Exam

A reduced bee population is indeed a sign of stress in a bee colony. When a colony is experiencing stress, it can lead to various issues such as disease, environmental factors, or resource scarcity. One consequence of these stressors is that the overall population of bees may decline due to increased mortality rates or reduced reproductive success.

In a healthy colony, bees thrive, and the population remains stable or grows, especially during peak seasons. However, stressful conditions can trigger a weakening of the colony, leading to fewer workers, drones, or the queen's deteriorating health, resulting in a smaller overall population. This reduction impacts the colony's ability to perform essential functions like foraging, brood care, and honey production.

While frequent swarming can also indicate a colony's response to certain conditions, it doesn't directly imply stress. In healthy colonies, swarming is a natural method of reproduction and can occur under conditions of overcrowding or resource abundance rather than stress. Increased honey production and high levels of foraging activity typically reflect a thriving colony, which would not align with signs of stress.