simoncav
House Bee
- Joined
- Nov 17, 2009
- Messages
- 183
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Hampshire, UK
- Hive Type
- Langstroth
- Number of Hives
- 12
I read in various places that a single worker collects less than a teaspoon in her lifetime. So I'm sitting here revising for Modules 2 and 5 thinking about this when I read that a bees honey crop can hold about 0.4g of honey.
If a worker forages say every day of her three weeks on the wing thats a total 21 days. If she does approx 10 trips a day, thats 10x21 = 210 trips at 0.04g per trip = 8.4g.
Now, a teaspoon is approx 5 grams, so thats getting on for two teaspoon fulls!
Even if she's bringing in exclusively low grade watery nectar at say 25% sugar and 75% water that requires 60% of the original volume of water to be removed 8.4 - 60% = 3.36g or 2/3rd of a teaspoon.
So, can someone with a bigger brain or better maths explain to me nicely how the various books etc claim a worker only brings in 2 drops or 1/12 teaspoon of honey in her lifespan?
If a worker forages say every day of her three weeks on the wing thats a total 21 days. If she does approx 10 trips a day, thats 10x21 = 210 trips at 0.04g per trip = 8.4g.
Now, a teaspoon is approx 5 grams, so thats getting on for two teaspoon fulls!
Even if she's bringing in exclusively low grade watery nectar at say 25% sugar and 75% water that requires 60% of the original volume of water to be removed 8.4 - 60% = 3.36g or 2/3rd of a teaspoon.
So, can someone with a bigger brain or better maths explain to me nicely how the various books etc claim a worker only brings in 2 drops or 1/12 teaspoon of honey in her lifespan?