Abstract
SUMMARY An overwintering study of different sized honey bee colonies was conducted in the mountain valley of Cura Brochero (1400 m), Cordoba, Argentina. Food consumption and survival were measured. The test included two colony sizes, 38 of which were populated with 1-2 lbs. of bees per colony, and 40 with 4-6 lbs. of bees per colony. The study site was chosen for its special climatic conditions along the suggested southern distribution limit of Africanized honey bees in Argentina. High daily maximum temperatures allowed bees to fly on all but seven out of 86 days. Extensive periods of low temperatures were only evident at night. The average daily temperatures for June to September ranged from 8.9 °C to 12.1 °C. Under the prevailing conditions, no differences in survival or food consumption were found between Africanized and European bees. If other factors such as food and water supplies, nesting sites availability, intensive agriculture, and pesticide application, etc. are not found to limit their distribution, Africanized honey bees should be able to survive further south in Argentina than previously suggested.
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