Extreme summer heat can overwhelm honey bees’ cooling systems, leading to significant colony population declines, threatening their pollination services. Maximal temperatures exceeding 40°C can reduce colony populations by impairing the thermoregulation of broods or by exposing adults to temperatures that shorten their lifespans. With rising temperatures, management strategies are needed: supplemental water provision, shading of hives, improving hive structure and materials that provide greater insulation, and ensuring high-quality forage.
Climate Crisis Blog
