Which method is NOT a way that honey bees cool their hive?

Honey bees employ several fascinating techniques to regulate the temperature within their hive, ensuring the optimal environment for their colony, especially during the warmer months. The method involving sunbathing, however, does not contribute to hive cooling. Instead, sunbathing refers to bees basking in sunlight, which is a behavior they adopt for warmth rather than cooling. It involves bees positioning themselves in the sun to absorb heat, which is beneficial for raising their body temperature.

In contrast, evaporative cooling occurs when bees produce water from nectar, which evaporates and helps lower the hive temperature. Fanning their wings creates air movement inside the hive, which also facilitates moisture evaporation and helps maintain cooler temperatures. Bearding is another method where bees cluster on the exterior of the hive to regulate temperature, allowing the interior to stay cooler while still maintaining contact with the colony. Thus, the understanding of how honey bees manage their hive temperature reveals that sunbathing does not play a role in cooling, making it the correct choice in this question.