Swarming nature's gift

The swarming season is a vibrant and unpredictable time of year for beekeepers as spring arrives, bringing longer days and warmer temperatures. Colonies are busy during this time, and many people may become frustrated when they see a swarm or notice warning indications of swarming. Since swarming can give the impression that the hive is "breaking apart" or that something is amiss, many beekeepers have been trained to view it as something that should be avoided at all costs. In commercial or urban beekeeping, where space and safety are top concerns, methods such as splitting or the Demaree method are commonly employed to try to prevent colonies from swarming. The thing that's frequently forgotten, though, is that swarming isn't an indication of failure. It's a vital, natural process that shows how healthy and alive a colony is. We must examine what swarming actually is and what it means in a honeybee colony's life in order to comprehend why .

In essence, swarming is how the colony reproduces and ensures its own survival. A strong hive , a healthy mother queen, plenty of nectar and pollen, an abundance of drones , are all necessary for the colony to naturally produce new queens and procreate succesfully. The older queen with a part of the  colony gets ready to split up , as these queens develop and mature inside their cells. It's crucial to understand that once a colony reaches a particular size and resource level, it frequently swarms. Swarming is a sign that the bees have successfully increased their population and are prepared to move and expand into new areas. This process involves resilience in addition to reproduction. Colonies become less susceptible to environmental stressors, illnesses, and pests by dispersing. Additionally, because they inherit a wealth of genetic and epigenetic diversity, the new queens that emerge from this process are frequently better able to handle difficulties.

In relation to epigenetics, new scientific discoveries have provided intriguing insights into the growth and adaptation of bees. Heritable modifications in gene expression that do not entail changing the underlying DNA sequence are referred to as epigenetics. Consider it as a collection of molecular switches, chemical changes such as DNA methylation, that, in response to environmental stimuli, can activate or deactivate genes. A number of variables, including hive conditions, temperature, pathogen exposure, and diet, affect these switches. Epigenetics is a key factor in honeybees, influencing whether a larva develops into a worker or a queen. Larvae fed royal jelly, for instance, grow into queens, whereas those fed another diet become workers. This dietary variation sets off epigenetic changes that either activate or inactivate particular genes related to development, and reproduction. Beyond caste, how bees react to stressors like diseases or pesticides , are also influenced by epigenetic mechanisms.

These are at work during swarming, rearranging the colony's biological and social structure. Certain epigenetic markers that can improve the new queen's immune system, ability to reproduce, and capacity to adjust to environmental challenges are inherited. These changes offer a dynamic, adaptable way to react to shifting circumstances; they are not permanent. This implies that every colony, including new queens, can carry a sort of biological "memory" of previous setbacks and victories, which helps them become more resilient over time.

This adaptability is essential. In the event of an unexpected drought or pest invasion, epigenetic modifications can assist bees in quickly modifying their physiology and behavior, and occasionally even passing on adaptive traits to their progeny. Natural swarming and colony splitting are useful tactics for preserving resilient populations, particularly in the face of climate change and new threats, for this reason.
Swarming is also advantageous to the ecosystem as a whole. A swarm contributes to local biodiversity by pollinating plants in its new habitat after departing to find a new home. 

A new approach to working with the bees is made possible by acknowledging swarming as a beneficial, natural process. Beekeepers can learn to recognize the signs, such as the appearance of multiple charged queen cells or cups, and develop management techniques that support the colony's natural rhythm rather than continuously resisting their instincts. For instance, I might take action to guarantee the stability and well-being of the colony if I notice indications of swarming approaching in my apiary. This could involve timing splits to align with the bees' natural reproductive cycle, offering a nucleus hive where the queen can set up a backup, to avoid a full swarm. Leaving the colony to produce a new queen from the swarm queen cells already present.



Controlled techniques like artificial swarming or hive splitting can replicate natural behaviors while protecting people and property in urban or suburban areas where uncontrolled swarming may be an annoyance. These methods aid in preserving equilibrium between the beekeepers needs , the safety of the communities  and the bees' innate instincts.
Knowing that swarming is a normal and advantageous aspect of colony life inspires us to use more sustainable beekeeping techniques. The goal is to work *with* nature instead of against it. We can better support the longevity and health of our bees when we interpret swarming as an indication of a robust, thriving hive and use it to our advandage. The swarming season in the spring is a vibrant, essential stage that showcases honeybees' adaptability. Accepting this viewpoint and the knowledge gained from epigenetics enables us to recognize their extraordinary tenacity .
Colonies become healthier and more resilient when we match our management techniques with their innate behaviors.

Evangelia Mavridis


Republishing the article (reblogging, etc.), its reproduction (total/partial) without the author's permission is prohibited. Sharing the link on social media is permitted.
 

References:

- Herb, B., Shteynberg, D. D., Chittka, L., et al. (2012). Epigenetic regulation of gene expression in honeybees. *Epigenetics & Chromatin*, 5(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-8935-5-11

- Kucharski, R., Maleszka, J., Foret, S., & Maleszka, R. (2008). Nutritional control of reproductive status in honeybees through DNA methylation. *Science*, 319(5870), 1827-1830. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1153069

- Kouzarides, T. (2007). Chromatin modifications and their function. *Cell*, 128(4), 693-705. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2007.02.005

- Liu, C., Wu, X., Wang, Q., et al. (2016). Epigenetic regulation of the immune response in honeybees (Apis mellifera). *Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology*, 77, 38–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmb.2016.01.003

- Rangel, J., & Guzmán-Novoa, E. (2014). Beekeepers' perceptions and practices of swarm management. *Journal of Apicultural Research*, 53(4), 413-423. https://doi.org/10.3896/IBRA.1.53.4.04

- Rosenkranz, P., Aumeier, P., & Ziegelmann, B. (2010). Biology and control of Varroa destructor. *Journal of Invertebrate Pathology*, 103, S96–S119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jip.2009.07.016

- Seeley, T. D. (2010). *Bee democracy*. Princeton University Press

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