Social control of air ventilation in colonies of honey bees, Apis mellifera

Fanning behaviour inside the nest of honey bees is an effective mechanism of ventilation. The following results are reported: (1) With only a single small entrance, the fanning is controlled so as to induce tidal ventilation of the nest as in a typical breathing pattern. (2) Periodic active fanning moves an air current out followed by a passive influx of air. (3) Fanning bees show negative phototaxis. (4) The colonial respiratory activity decreases at night following a pronounced day-night cycle. © 1987.