“Winter Bees” are a generation of honeybees born in the late summer or early fall months that are designed specifically to survive the winter months. Compared to the 4-6 weeks that a ‘summer bee’ will live, winter bees can survive for months.
Sometimes referred to as “Fat Bees”, winter bees have a different anatomical makeup than other bees. This gives them a slower metabolism and extra reserves of fat and protein to help sustain them through the winter when it’s too cold to forage for new resources. They will instead use a combination of their additional bodily nutrients (or “fat bodies”) and eating stored resources to survive until spring.
Winter bees are integral to a colony’s survival during the winter months since they are the ones that cluster around the queen, generating heat to keep her safe and warm. Once warmer weather arrives and blooms appear, winter bees will help raise the first generation of bees, ensuring the colony’s continued growth and survival.
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Winter Bees and Fall Honeybee Populations
Preparing Honeybee Colonies for Winter
Fat Honeybees and the Winter Cluster *
* Colony Member-Only Content
