How much water does a colony need over the course of a year?
Water is indispensable for the basic metabolism of each individual in the colony. The “nurse bees” use it to produce royal jelly and brood food; the “climate bees” use it for thermoregulation and for controlling humidity inside the hive …
How much water does a colony need over the course of a year?
- About 20 litres
- About 33 litres
- More than 50 litres
See answer
Correct answer: No. 3
The annual water consumption of a colony depends on several factors: colony size, brood development, climatic conditions, exposure to sunlight, and others.
It is estimated that a productive colony requires more than 50 litres of water per year. Water input is not provided solely by water carriers. Foragers also contribute by bringing back nectar with a high water content (sometimes >70%).
►Learn more: Which water for our bees?