: Fat bees are loaded with a protein called vitellogenin . This isn't just fuel; it’s an immune system booster and an antioxidant that allows bees to live for months instead of weeks.
If you’ve been in beekeeping circles for a while, you’ve likely heard the catchy phrase While it sounds like a children's book title, it actually refers to a cornerstone of honey bee biology and a famous manual on bee nutrition by Doug Somerville . Fat Bees Skinny Bees
Fat Bees vs. Skinny Bees: The Secret to a Survival-Ready Hive : Fat bees are loaded with a protein called vitellogenin
: These fat stores allow nurse bees to produce high-quality royal jelly to feed the first generation of spring larvae even before the first flowers bloom. The Perils of the "Skinny Bee" Fat Bees vs
A "fat bee" isn't just one that ate too much honey. In beekeeping, "fat" refers to the , a vital organ in the bee's abdomen that functions similarly to a human liver.
Understanding the difference between a "fat" bee and a "skinny" one is often the deciding factor in whether your colony thrives through the spring or collapses before the first thaw. What is a "Fat Bee"?
: While "skinny" summer bees only live about 4–6 weeks, "fat" winter bees (also called diutinus bees) can live up to 6–9 months to see the colony through the cold season.