North Carolina Bee School Practice Exam

What happens to bees when the hive temperature drops below 40 degrees?

1. They become more active

2. They can die

3. They start to swarm

4. They begin to hibernate

The correct answer is: They can die

When the hive temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the physiological responses of bees can become critical for their survival. At such low temperatures, honey bees are unable to maintain their normal level of activity, as they rely on warmth to remain active and functioning. Bees are ectothermic creatures, meaning they cannot generate internal heat to the same extent mammals can. Instead, they rely on clustering together to create heat in the hive. If the temperature is too low for an extended period, bees cannot effectively generate this heat, which can lead to a drop in metabolism and inability to care for the queen or brood. In extreme cases, if the temperature persists below this threshold and the bees cannot cluster effectively or access their food stores, it can result in hypothermia and ultimately, death. This highlights the importance of maintaining an adequately insulated and protected environment for the hive, particularly during colder months, to ensure the survival of the colony.