Achievement of Thermal Stability by Varying Metabolic Heat Production in Flying Honeybees

Author

Jon F. Harrison
Jennifer H. Fewell
Stephen P. Roberts, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
H. Glenn Hall

Abstract

Thermoregulation of the Thorax Allows Endothermic Insects to Achieve Power Outputs during Flight that Are among the Highest in the Animal Kingdom. Flying Endothermic Insects, Including the Honeybee Apis Mellifera, Are Believed to Thermoregulate Almost Exclusively by Varying Heat Loss. Here It is Shown that a Rise in Air Temperature from 20° to 40°C Causes Large Decreases in Metabolic Heat Production and Wing-Beat Frequency in Honeybees during Hovering, Agitated, or Loaded Flight. Thus, Variation in Heat Production May Be the Primary Mechanism for Achieving Thermal Stability in Flying Honeybees, and This Mechanism May Occur Commonly in Endothermic Insects.

Recommended Citation

J. F. Harrison et al., "Achievement of Thermal Stability by Varying Metabolic Heat Production in Flying Honeybees," Science, vol. 274, no. 5284, pp. 88 - 90, American Association for the Advancement of Science, Oct 1996.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1126/science.274.5284.88

Department(s)

Biological Sciences

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0036-8075

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2023 American Association for the Advancement of Science, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

15 Oct 1996

PubMed ID

8810252