J R Soc Interface November 2023 PMID 37989226

Honeybee cluster-not insulation but stressful heat sink.

Derek Mitchell

Mentions

38
Peak: 16 in Nov 2023
across 4 sources since Nov 2023

Extended reach

439,302
potential audience

Total likes

2,035

Video views

99,891

Mentions per month

Nov 2023 – Oct 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter18 posts
  • Facebook11 posts
  • YouTube6 videos
  • News3 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions reveal strong alignment with the publication, with phrases like 'raises questions about use of thin walled hives' and calls to 'change the basic way we keep bees' showing concern and intent to act, while the tone highlights the importance of animal welfare and scientific findings as catalyst for change.

AgreementStrong agreement

Most discussions strongly agree that the research reveals that clustering stresses bees rather than insulates them, with many posts emphasizing the welfare implications and questioning traditional hive designs.

InterestHigh interest

Posts demonstrate high interest, with many highlighting the significance of the discovery and calling for changes in beekeeper practices, indicating active concern and engagement with the topic.

EngagementHigh engagement

Several discussions delve into the implications, such as criticizing current hive methods or expressing empathy for bee welfare, showing deep engagement and reflection.

ImpactModerate impact

The dialogues suggest potential for changing how beekeeping is approached, although some express cautious optimism, implying the research could influence future practices but may require further validation or action.

Abstract in brief

  • The study challenges the traditional view that honeybee winter clustering acts as insulation; instead, it suggests that clustering actually increases heat transfer and stress for the bees.
  • Researchers found that when honeybees form a dense cluster, their thermal conductivity roughly doubles, and insulation can decrease significantly, meaning the cluster is not effectively protecting them from cold.
  • The findings imply that clustering is a stressful behavioral response to environmental threats, and intentionally forcing bees into these clusters (e.g., through poor insulation or refrigeration) may be considered inhumane or cruel.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
.
@skinnykeesha · X

i mean if you want to eat honey go ahead but it actually 100% does hurt the bees https://t.co/iz6tuzjxiK https://t.co/VX9TLlhnBX

Jan 5, 2024 · 19 likes · 45 followers View post →
Royal Society Publishing
@RSocPublishing · X

The #honeybee mantle provides inadequate insulation in the winter, leading to forced clustering in commercial hives: https://t.co/OOnjBGLAJJ #JRSocInterface @LeedsUniEng

Nov 28, 2023 · 15 likes · 3 shares · 38,612 followers View post →
Api:Cultural
@apiculturalLdn · X

New evidence that winter clustering in honey bees is a stress response and not effective insulation response. Raises questions about use of thin walled hives and welfare treatment of bees. https://t.co/xZE2yjEa76

Nov 26, 2023 · 4 likes · 2,644 followers View post →
Royal Society Publishing
@RSocPublishing · X

#JRSocInterface in @guardian | Honeybee cluster—not insulation but stressful heat sink: https://t.co/z9mpAASPaT https://t.co/rw4IP0BP5I

Dec 14, 2023 · 3 likes · 38,612 followers View post →
サイエンスあれこれ
@sarekore · X

正当化されてきました。今回、越冬蜂球にはそれほどの断熱効果があるわけではなく、寒さに耐えかねたミツバチがストレス応答として行う行為である可能性が高いことがわかりました。https://t.co/Vv5TvNOn2y

Nov 22, 2023 · 3 likes · 1 share · 940 followers View post →
Royal Society Publishing
@RSocPublishing · X

The honeybee mantle provides inadequate insulation in the winter, leading to forced clustering in commercial hives: https://t.co/OOnjBGLAJJ #JRSocInterface @LeedsUniEng https://t.co/ZNgRMAguIz

Nov 25, 2023 · 2 likes · 38,612 followers View post →

All mentions

.
@skinnykeesha · X

i mean if you want to eat honey go ahead but it actually 100% does hurt the bees https://t.co/iz6tuzjxiK https://t.co/VX9TLlhnBX

Jan 5, 2024 · 19 likes · 45 followers View post →
Royal Society Publishing
@RSocPublishing · X

#JRSocInterface in @guardian | Honeybee cluster—not insulation but stressful heat sink: https://t.co/z9mpAASPaT https://t.co/rw4IP0BP5I

Dec 14, 2023 · 3 likes · 38,612 followers View post →
Derek Mitchell
@Derekmorville · X

#nature #savethebees #bee #bees #honeybees New Article Honeybee cluster - not insulation https://t.co/jc87W7xA6o

Dec 6, 2023 · 47 followers View post →
Bryce
@FunSizedBryce · X

@rout_wyatt42859 @Alexzia777 Stop stealing honey from bees

Dec 5, 2023 · 11,043 followers View post →
Hesperio A
@frutadragon34 · X

https://t.co/WOK3jzkcM3

Dec 2, 2023 · 1 like · 913 followers View post →
Vegan Future
@veganfuture · X

'This is Why I Don't Eat Honey' https://t.co/CHAP8kbgkP

Dec 1, 2023 · 199,463 followers View post →
Bioapícola Canete
@BioCanete · X

RT @MundoConAbejas: https://t.co/90dgLYyVTp

Nov 30, 2023 · 1 share · 84 followers View post →
por un Mundo Con Abejas
@MundoConAbejas · X

https://t.co/90dgLYyVTp

Nov 29, 2023 · 1 like · 1 share · 1,276 followers View post →
José Antonio Peña
@JosAntoniomas · X

RT @RSocPublishing: The #honeybee mantle provides inadequate insulation in the winter, leading to forced clustering in commercial hives: ht…

Nov 28, 2023 · 3 shares · 2,490 followers View post →
dario oliveira
@dariosailor86 · X

RT @RSocPublishing: The #honeybee mantle provides inadequate insulation in the winter, leading to forced clustering in commercial hives: ht…

Nov 28, 2023 · 3 shares · 1,552 followers View post →
Stephen Garriga
@SteveGarriga · X

Honeybee cluster—not insulation but stressful heat sink | Journal of The Royal Society Interface https://t.co/r5ftDPDuz7

Nov 28, 2023 · 4 followers View post →
Royal Society Publishing
@RSocPublishing · X

The #honeybee mantle provides inadequate insulation in the winter, leading to forced clustering in commercial hives: https://t.co/OOnjBGLAJJ #JRSocInterface @LeedsUniEng

Nov 28, 2023 · 15 likes · 3 shares · 38,612 followers View post →
Api:Cultural
@apiculturalLdn · X

New evidence that winter clustering in honey bees is a stress response and not effective insulation response. Raises questions about use of thin walled hives and welfare treatment of bees. https://t.co/xZE2yjEa76

Nov 26, 2023 · 4 likes · 2,644 followers View post →
Royal Society Publishing
@RSocPublishing · X

The honeybee mantle provides inadequate insulation in the winter, leading to forced clustering in commercial hives: https://t.co/OOnjBGLAJJ #JRSocInterface @LeedsUniEng https://t.co/ZNgRMAguIz

Nov 25, 2023 · 2 likes · 38,612 followers View post →
Atomic Nuc
@AtomicNucs · X

https://t.co/g6Na6GwCGP IMO, we need to change the basic way we keep bees.

Nov 22, 2023 · 1 followers View post →
beepapers
@bee_papers · X

Honeybee cluster-not insulation but stressful heat sink https://t.co/YzjQC17D2r

Nov 22, 2023 · 659 followers View post →
猫
@nekolovercat · X

RT @sarekore: 正当化されてきました。今回、越冬蜂球にはそれほどの断熱効果があるわけではなく、寒さに耐えかねたミツバチがストレス応答として行う行為である可能性が高いことがわかりました。https://t.co/Vv5TvNOn2y

Nov 22, 2023 · 1 share · 2,250 followers View post →
サイエンスあれこれ
@sarekore · X

正当化されてきました。今回、越冬蜂球にはそれほどの断熱効果があるわけではなく、寒さに耐えかねたミツバチがストレス応答として行う行為である可能性が高いことがわかりました。https://t.co/Vv5TvNOn2y

Nov 22, 2023 · 3 likes · 1 share · 940 followers View post →
Hives heat map [IMAGE] | EurekAlert! Science News Releases
News

Honeybee cluster—not insulation but stressful heat sink. University of Leeds. Journal: Journal of The Royal Society Interface; DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0488 ...

Dec 16, 2025 View →
Shoqata e Bletarëve të Prefekturës Tirane-Beekeepers Assocation ...
Facebook

... royalsocietypublishing. org/doi/full/10.1098/rsif.2023.0488#d1e7426. Няма апісання фота. Besnik Xhoxhaj і яшчэ 5 ·

Dec 16, 2025 View →
Do hive wraps help regulate temperatures?
Facebook

org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2023.0488. royalsocietypublishing.org. Honeybee cluster—not insulation but stressful heat. 1 mo · Bee Sustainable. Carol ...

Oct 24, 2025 View →
I live in central Alberta. My hives are polystyrene. Could the bees ...
Facebook

org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2023.0488. royalsocietypublishing.org. Honeybee cluster—not insulation but stressful heat. 2 wks · Betty Jo Bialowski. Bee ...

Oct 19, 2025 View →
What temperature can bees withstand?
Facebook

org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2023.0488 https://royalsocietypublishing. org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2023.0488. royalsocietypublishing.org. Honeybee cluster ...

Sep 5, 2025 View →
Should I insulate my beehive in Raleigh, NC, given the unusual cold ...
Facebook

org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2023.0488. royalsocietypublishing.org. Honeybee cluster—not insulation but stressful heat · 12 mos · 1. Other posts.

Dec 3, 2024 View →
Has anyone used a Clauss dome for winter ventilation?
Facebook

org/doi/full/10.1098/rsif.2023.0488 I don't understand the point of the video you posted. A bee will die when its body temperature reaches ...

Nov 5, 2024 View →
Condensing Colony Setup with Plexiglass Inner Cover and Insulation
Facebook

https:// doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2023.0488 Hesbach, W. (2016). Winter management. Bee Culture Magazine, (Oct. 2016). https: //www.beeculture ...

Oct 23, 2024 View →
When does everyone cover their bees for winter?
Facebook

Always before the freeze. Temperature drops below 30 degrees at night or morning have them wrapped. It's all your choice, nothing wrong with ...

Oct 12, 2024 View →
**Webinaire Jean Riondet :** Avec la revue l'Abeille de France nous ...
Facebook

org/doi/10.1098/rsif.2023.0488. royalsocietypublishing.org. Honeybee cluster—not insulation but stressful heat sink | Journal of. 1 yr. Other ...

Jul 2, 2024 View →
Honeybees suffer in human-made hives, study finds
Facebook

org/doi/full/10.1098/rsif.2023.0488. royalsocietypublishing.org. Honeybee cluster—not insulation but stressful heat sink | Journal of. 2 yrs.

Nov 28, 2023 View →
Honeybee cluster—not insulation but stressful heat sink | EurekAlert!
News

... 10.1098/rsif.2023.0488. ENDS. Journal. Journal of The Royal Society Interface. DOI. 10.1098/rsif.2023.0488. Subject of Research. Not applicable ...

Nov 27, 2023 View →
Honeybee cluster -- not insulation but stressful heat sink ...
News

Journal of The Royal Society Interface, 2023; 20 (208) DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0488. Cite This Page: MLA; APA; Chicago. University of Leeds ...

Nov 27, 2023 View →
| Facebook
Facebook

org/doi/full/10.1098/rsif.2023.0488. royalsocietypublishing.org. Honeybee cluster—not insulation but stressful heat. 2 yrs. Other posts. Balaji ...

Nov 27, 2023 View →