Abstract
1. 1. In winter, oxygen consumption of honey bee ( Apis mellifera L.) clusters resembles that of birds and mammals. 2. 2. Intact clusters of 10–20,000 bees increase metabolism when exposed to cold environmental temperatures. Below 10°C, metabolic rate (W kg −1 ) increases as a function of decreasing ambient temperature following the relation MR = 7.96 — 0.24 T (Fig. 1). 3. 3. Insulative properties of the cluster are estimated and discussed. 4. 4. At moderate ambient temperatures (10–14°C), the cluster “breaks” resulting in a massive increase in total surface area for heat exchange and concomitant large increase in metabolism.
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