What is bearding behavior in bees?

Bearding behavior in bees refers to the phenomenon where bees cluster on the outside of the hive, often in large groups. This can occur during warm weather when the internal temperature of the hive is high and bees need to cool it down. The outside clustering helps ventilate the hive by allowing airflow through the cavity. Additionally, bearding can be a sign of a healthy, active colony that is preparing to swarm, as the bees group together to manage heat and moisture levels.

The other choices describe different aspects of bee behavior or management issues, but they do not accurately define bearding. For instance, storing honey in excess can be a normal behavior indicating an abundance of food resources, while building comb aggressively refers to the construction activities within the hive. Lastly, neglecting brood care points to potential problems within the colony rather than the natural response seen during bearding behavior.