Skinny bees are the standard forgers of summer. They are built for speed and efficiency, not longevity. However, a colony becomes dangerously "skinny" when it lacks nutritional resources during critical times. Pollen is Vital to Honey Bee Health and Survival
: While "skinny" summer bees only live about 4–6 weeks, "fat" winter bees (also called diutinus bees) can live up to 6–9 months to see the colony through the cold season. Fat Bees Skinny Bees
If you’ve been in beekeeping circles for a while, you’ve likely heard the catchy phrase While it sounds like a children's book title, it actually refers to a cornerstone of honey bee biology and a famous manual on bee nutrition by Doug Somerville . Skinny bees are the standard forgers of summer