Winter bee

Definition

Bees reared in late summer and autumn carry enlarged fat bodies and high vitellogenin levels, and survive until spring. A colony's overwintering depends almost entirely on producing enough of them, which is why varroa damage to autumn brood kills colonies in February — months after the damage was done.

Plant records that discuss this

• MahoniaRated high rather than very high on volume, and it is arguably the most valuable plant in this catalogue anyway. A high-value plant in July competes with everything; a moderate one in January competes with nothing.

Guide records that discuss this

• Autumn plants for beesAutumn forage decides how well colonies enter winter. It is also when one plant does more work than everything else combined, and most people regard it as a nuisance.