broodnest

Broodnest is the central area of a honey bee colony where brood is raised. It comprises the comb in which the queen lays eggs and where the resulting eggs, larvae, and pupae develop under the care of worker bees. In a typical hive, the broodnest is located toward the hive’s core, surrounded by stores of honey and pollen, and it expands or contracts with the colony’s size and the season.

Maintaining appropriate temperature is essential for brood development. Honey bees regulate brood temperature to about 34–35°C (93–95°F) and moderate humidity. They achieve this through behaviors such as clustering to conserve heat, and by fanning wings and adjusting ventilation to remove excess heat or moisture, as well as relocation of brood to suitable cells when needed.

Brood development follows a sequence: eggs hatch into larvae, which then become pupae and finally emerge as adult bees. The duration depends on sex; worker brood takes about 21 days, drone brood about 24 days, and queen development about 16 days under normal conditions.

Seasonally, the broodnest grows in spring as the colony expands, but brood rearing often slows in late summer and declines in winter when the colony reduces or stops brood production and focuses on maintaining a small cluster and conserving resources. The size and health of the broodnest influence colony growth and resilience, and brood patterns are commonly used by beekeepers to assess queen performance, disease presence, and mite pressure.