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Journal of Experimental Biology 157,19-34 (1991)
Published by Company of Biologists 1991

Thermoregulation and Energetic Decision-Making by the Honeybees Apis Cerana, Apis Dorsata and Apis Laboriosa

BENJAMIN A. UNDERWOOD ¹

¹ Department of Entomology, Cornell University Ithaca, NY 14853, USA

Thoracic flight temperatures (T_th) of workers of three species of honeybees (genus Apis) in Nepal were measured at relatively low ambient temperatures (T_a). At T_a = 18–24°C, A. dorsata workers arriving at feeders to collect concentrated (340%) sugar syrup maintained higher temperature gradients (T_th — T_a) than workers arriving at feeders with dilute (6–17%) syrup. Temperature gradients were inversely related to T_a, indicating thermoregulation at low T_a. Similarly, temperature gradients varied inversely with T_a in A. cerana and A. laboriosa workers arriving at feeders at T_a = 12–20°C. Temperature data suggest that honeybees have the ability to regulate heat production in flight and that they may vary their flight efforts according to expected gains and associated costs. Temperature gradients of A. laboriosa workers in flight are apparently about the same as those of A. mellifera workers, whose body mass is only half that of A. laboriosa. The circulatory systems of A. laboriosa workers show no striking differences from those of other species of Apis and are therefore probably equally effective at retaining heat in the thorax. This suggests that the relatively low (in relation to the body size) T_th — T_a maintained by A. laboriosa may be an indication of a relatively low metabolic rate and consequent low heat production. This is supported by an analysis of mass^1/3 -specific wing-loading and, in turn, suggests that A. laboriosa may be grouped with A. dorsata and A. florea as a relatively lowpowered, open-nesting honeybee, in contrast to the more high-powered cavitynesters, A. cerana and A. mellifera.

Key words: Apis, flight energetics, thermoregulation, honeybees

Accepted on November 26, 1990

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