The role of temperature on the development of circadian rhythms in honey bee workers

Circadian rhythms in honey bees are involved in various processes that impact colony survival. For example, young nurses take care of the brood constantly throughout the day and lack circadian rhythms. At the same time, foragers use the circadian clock to remember and predict food availability in subsequent days.

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How does temperature affect the development of circadian rhythms in honey bee workers?

Research indicates that temperature plays a crucial role in the development of circadian rhythms in honey bee workers. When young workers are kept at higher temperatures similar to those found in the brood nest (33–35 °C), they develop circadian rhythms as early as 2 days of age. In contrast, workers kept at lower temperatures (24–26 °C) begin developing rhythms between 4–5 days of age. Moreover, a significantly higher proportion (60–80%) of bees develop circadian rhythms at brood nest-like temperatures compared to lower temperatures, where less than 40% of bees develop rhythmicity. These findings suggest that temperature, regulated socially inside the hive, significantly influences the early development of circadian rhythmicity in honey bee workers.

Is there a critical period where temperature influences the development of circadian rhythms in honey bee workers?

Yes, the research suggests that there is a critical period during the first 48 hours after emergence where temperature significantly affects the development of circadian rhythms in honey bee workers. Bees exposed to higher temperatures (35 °C) during this critical period are twice as likely to develop circadian rhythms compared to those kept at lower temperatures (25 °C). This underscores the importance of brood nest temperatures in shaping the early development of the circadian system in honey bee workers.