Bee Science: Clustering and Winter Survival with Dewey (BSD-1)

In this inaugural episode of Bee Science with Dewey Caron, PhD, Dewey takes a close look at one of the most fundamental — and often misunderstood — aspects of honey bee winter biology: clustering.

Why do honey bees form a winter cluster, and what actually determines whether a colony survives until spring? Dewey explains how clustering is not simply about staying warm, but about energy efficiency, colony organization, and collective behavior. He walks listeners through how cluster size, food placement, colony population, and environmental conditions interact throughout the winter months.

This episode also explores common misconceptions, including the idea that tighter clusters are always better, and how beekeeper interventions — intentional or accidental — can influence winter outcomes. Dewey emphasizes what beekeepers can realistically observe, what remains hidden inside the cluster, and why patience and preparation often matter more than mid-winter hive checks.

As the first installment of this new monthly bonus series, Bee Science with Dewey is designed to give beekeepers a reliable, science-based touchpoint they can count on throughout the year. Each episode focuses on a single topic, grounding current beekeeping questions in research, biology, and decades of field experience.

New episodes of Bee Science with Dewey will be released on the third Wednesday of each month as a bonus feature of the Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Links and references mentioned in this episode:

• Science Insights Article on Temperature Effects on Honey Bees: https://scienceinsights.org/what-temperature-is-too-cold-for-bees/
• Journal of the Royal Society Interface: Mitchell, Derek. 2023. Honeybee cluster—not insulation but stressful heat sink. J R Soc Interface (2023) 20 (208): 20230488 . https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2023.0488
• Beekeeping Today Podcast #293: Etienne Tardif - Hive Insulation and Overwintering - https://www.beekeepingtodaypodcast.com/hive-insulation-and-overwintering-with-etienne-tardiff-293/
• Beekeeping Today Podcast #368: Etienne Tardif - Cold Climate Beekeeping - https://www.beekeepingtodaypodcast.com/368-cold-climate-beekeeping-winter-feeding/

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Betterbee is the presenting sponsor of Beekeeping Today Podcast. Betterbee's mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com

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