The impact of temperature regulation measures on the thermodynamic characteristics of bee colonies based on finite element simulation

In recent years, the increasing frequency of extreme weather events and temperature fluctuations have posed significant threats of the survival of bee colonies. While artificial control of hive temperature can effectively protect bee colonies and conserve honey, there is a current lack of quantitative research on the effects of regulatory measures on colony temperature and heat loss. This study employs finite element simulation to model the thermodynamic changes in hives under various ambient temperatures and regulatory measures. The findings indicate that the minimum heat loss in beehives occurs at an ambient temperature of 34 °C. Variations in ambient temperature significantly affect the internal temperature and heat loss within the hive. An increase in colony size contributes to internal hive temperature control and enhances energy efficiency. However, the opening of ventilation ports at the top of the hive can lead to a several-fold increase in heat loss and should be used judiciously. It is recommended to use insulation materials with a thermal resistance value exceeding 25 K W⁻¹ for optimal insulation effects. This study elucidates the impacts of ambient temperature and regulatory measures on the thermodynamics of bee colonies, thereby aiding in enhancing the survival capability of bee colonies under extreme weather conditions.