Honeybees foraging in an environment influenced by temperature and humidity.

Bee-ing Productive: How Weather Affects Honeybee Foraging

Nico Varela in Science & Nature September 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unlocking the secrets of honeybee behavior to maximize your honey harvest."

Honeybees are vital pollinators, significantly contributing to plant communities' health and agricultural productivity. Their ability to recruit other bees to productive foraging sites and efficiently communicate food source information makes them essential for ecosystems and economies. Understanding the factors that influence their foraging behavior is key to supporting these critical insects.

Beekeepers know that honeybee colonies thrive when they can efficiently collect nectar and pollen. The Africanized honeybee, in particular, adapts its foraging behavior based on environmental conditions to maximize productivity. By understanding these adaptations, beekeepers can make informed management decisions to optimize honey production.

This article examines the impact of abiotic factors—specifically temperature and humidity—on the foraging activity of Apis mellifera (Africanized honeybees) in Vernonia polyanthes (Assa-peixe) inflorescences. Understanding these relationships can provide beekeepers with practical insights for better managing their hives and increasing honey yields.

Why Do Temperature and Humidity Matter for Honeybees?

Honeybees foraging in an environment influenced by temperature and humidity.

Africanized honeybees are highly sensitive to environmental changes. Climate variables directly affect colony productivity because bees expend energy to control foraging activity. For example, bees must maintain optimal hive temperatures, which requires more energy during extreme weather conditions.

In addition to the direct effects on bee behavior, abiotic factors influence the availability of floral resources. During winter, bees collect less nectar as many plant species become senescent. Therefore, understanding how temperature and humidity affect foraging is crucial for beekeepers, especially during resource-scarce times.

Temperature: Warmer temperatures generally increase foraging activity. Bees start foraging when temperatures reach around 16°C (61°F).
Humidity: High humidity can hinder foraging. Bees prefer lower humidity levels as high humidity makes flight more difficult.
Resource Availability: The presence of flowering plants like Vernonia polyanthes during winter provides essential food resources.

A study conducted in Valença, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, observed the foraging habits of A. mellifera on V. polyanthes inflorescences. The study found that bee visits occurred mainly between 9 am and 4 pm, with peak activity between 11 am and 3 pm. This period coincides with optimal temperature and humidity conditions for these bees.

Practical Steps for Beekeepers

By understanding how temperature and humidity affect honeybee foraging, beekeepers can take proactive steps to manage their hives more effectively. Selecting appropriate apiary locations, ensuring adequate food resources during critical periods, and monitoring environmental conditions can significantly improve honey production. Encouraging the growth of bee-friendly plants like Vernonia polyanthes can provide a reliable food source during the winter, boosting colony health and productivity. Balancing these factors leads to healthier hives and increased honey yields.

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Everything You Need To Know

How does temperature impact the foraging behavior of Africanized honeybees?

Temperature significantly affects the foraging behavior of Africanized honeybees (Apis mellifera). Warmer temperatures generally increase foraging activity. Bees typically start foraging when the temperature reaches around 16°C (61°F). Maintaining optimal hive temperatures requires energy, especially during extreme weather conditions, impacting their foraging efficiency. The study in Valença, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, observed peak foraging activity between 11 am and 3 pm, coinciding with optimal temperature conditions for these bees. Beekeepers can use this knowledge to manage hives more effectively.

What role does humidity play in honeybee foraging, and how can beekeepers use this information?

Humidity is a crucial abiotic factor that influences honeybee foraging. High humidity can hinder foraging activity because it makes flight more difficult for bees. Bees prefer lower humidity levels for optimal foraging. Beekeepers can use this information to select appropriate apiary locations and monitor environmental conditions to improve honey production. For example, understanding humidity levels alongside temperature can help beekeepers optimize hive management practices, ensuring the bees' foraging efficiency and overall colony health. The study in Valença, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, noted foraging habits of A. mellifera and found that bee visits occurred mainly between 9 am and 4 pm, with peak activity between 11 am and 3 pm, which coincides with optimal humidity conditions.

Why is understanding environmental factors like temperature and humidity critical for beekeepers?

Understanding environmental factors such as temperature and humidity is critical for beekeepers because these factors directly affect the foraging activity and, consequently, the productivity of honeybee colonies. Climate variables influence how bees expend energy, especially in maintaining optimal hive temperatures. Also, abiotic factors influence the availability of floral resources. During winter, bees collect less nectar as many plant species become senescent. By understanding these relationships, beekeepers can make informed management decisions, such as selecting appropriate apiary locations, ensuring adequate food resources, and monitoring environmental conditions, which can significantly improve honey production and colony health.

How does resource availability affect honeybee foraging, and what practical steps can beekeepers take?

Resource availability, such as the presence of flowering plants like Vernonia polyanthes, significantly affects honeybee foraging. Flowering plants provide essential food resources, particularly during times when resources are scarce, such as winter. Practical steps for beekeepers include encouraging the growth of bee-friendly plants like Vernonia polyanthes. This action provides a reliable food source, boosting colony health and productivity, which is crucial for the overall success of the hive. By understanding how temperature, humidity, and resource availability interact, beekeepers can take proactive steps to manage their hives more effectively and increase honey yields. The study in Valença, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, observed A. mellifera foraging on V. polyanthes inflorescences, indicating the importance of this plant for bee activity.

Can you explain the specific findings of the study on Africanized honeybees and Vernonia polyanthes?

The study conducted in Valença, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, specifically observed the foraging habits of Africanized honeybees (Apis mellifera) on Vernonia polyanthes inflorescences. The study found that bee visits primarily occurred between 9 am and 4 pm, with peak activity between 11 am and 3 pm. This period coincides with optimal temperature and humidity conditions for these bees. The findings highlight the importance of factors like temperature, humidity, and floral resources for honeybee foraging behavior. The presence of Vernonia polyanthes provided essential food resources, especially during the winter, influencing foraging patterns and overall colony productivity. This information allows beekeepers to better manage their hives by considering environmental conditions and planting bee-friendly species.