Honey bees are known for their ability to carefully control the temperature inside their hives, but new research shows that extreme summer heat can overwhelm this natural cooling system. A study published in Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology found that prolonged heat waves can disrupt hive temperature control and lead to noticeable declines in colony populations.
The study, titled “Negative Effects of Excessive Heat on Colony Thermoregulation and Population Dynamics in Honey Bees,” followed nine honey bee colonies during a particularly hot summer in Arizona. Over a three month period, temperatures frequently climbed above 40°C (104°F). The findings suggest that increasingly intense heat waves around the world pose a serious risk to honey bees and the essential pollination services they support.
— source University of Chicago Press Journals | Jan 13, 2026