title: Observation system for the control of the hive environment by the honeybee (Apis mellifera).
abstract: The honeybee can control its hive environment to survive drastic changes in the field environment. To study the control of multiple environmental factors by honeybees, in this experiment, we developed a continual and simultaneous monitoring system for the temperature, moisture, and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in a honeybee hive. Changes in hive weight, CO2 production rate, and honeybee behavior were also monitored to estimate energy costs and behavioral activity for the environmental regulation. Measurements were conducted in August 2008. We found that the honeybee hive has a microclimate different from the ambient climate, and that the difference was partly accompanied by changes in honeybee activity. Our results also suggest that hive temperature, humidity, and CO2 concentrations are controlled by different mechanisms. Additional monitoring of the hive environment and honeybee behavior for longer periods would enable us to understand the mechanisms of environmental control by honeybees, which is one of the behaviors that define honeybees as social insects.
authors: School of Human Science and Environment, University of Hyogo, Himeji, Hyogo, Japan. ohashi@shse.u-hyogo.ac.jp
authors: Mizue
authors: M
authors: Ohashi
authors: Ryuichi
authors: R
authors: Okada
authors: Toshifumi
authors: T
authors: Kimura
authors: Hidetoshi
authors: H
authors: Ikeno
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees; D035841:Behavioral Research / Q000379:methods*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D003625:Data Collection / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D004777:Environment; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006813:Humidity; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D002245:Carbon Dioxide