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SUN POSITION AS A POSSIBLE FACTOR IN THE DISORIENTATION OF HONEY BEES (APIS MELLIFERA) (HYMENOPTERA: APIDAE)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 May 2012

S. C. Jay
Affiliation:
Department of Entomology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Abstract

Rows of hives were arranged in squares with their entrances facing outwards (N, S, E, W) within the temperate zone (at 49°38′ N., 97°09′ W.) and within the tropical zone (at 18°00′, 76°45′ W.). Bees tended to move southward along east and west facing rows in the temperate zone during July and August but not in the tropical zone during the time when the path of the sun passed through the zenith at midday (2 August 1969). Bees, in rows facing north or south, showed a greater tendency to move westward in the tropical than in the temperate zone. It is suggested that sun position may influence this movement of bees.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © Entomological Society of Canada 1971

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References

Free, J. B. 1958. The drifting of honey bees. J. agric. Sci. 51(3): 294306.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
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Jay, S. C. 1968. Drifting of honeybees in commercial apiaries. IV: Further studies of the effect of apiary layout. J. apic. Res. 7(1): 3744.CrossRefGoogle Scholar