festoon /fĕ-stoo͞n′/
noun
1. A string or garland, as of leaves or flowers, suspended in a loop or curve between two points.
2. A representation of such a string or garland, as in painting or sculpture.
3. A garland or wreath hanging in a depending curve, used in decoration for festivals, etc.; anything arranged in this way.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language

Imagine honey bees forming a string or garland by clinging together and stretched between frames in the hive. This is festooning!

Festooning bees link together in chains and bridge the open space between empty or partially filled frames or in open space along the same frame, with the bridge usually a single bee in width. At the end of a honey bee’s legs are hooks they use to clasp to another bee’s leg.   

During a hive inspection, you may see festooning. Scientists do not have a confirmed reason why bees perform festooning but this behavior seems to serve several important functions:

1. Temperature Regulation: By hanging in chains, bees can regulate the temperature within the hive. During hot weather, bees fan their wings to create airflow, and festooning helps distribute this airflow throughout the hive, aiding in cooling. Conversely, during cold weather, bees can cluster tightly together, conserving heat.
2. Honeycomb Construction: Festooning plays a crucial role in the construction of honeycomb. Bees use this behavior to measure and align comb cells accurately. They form chains to create scaffolding, allowing them to build comb in a precise and coordinated manner.
3. Wax Production: Beeswax is produced by glands on the underside of the worker bees’ abdomens. When bees cluster together in festoons, it creates a warm and humid environment conducive to wax production. This facilitates the secretion and manipulation of wax for comb construction.

Festooning behavior in bees is a multifunctional activity that contributes to the overall health and efficiency of the hive.

References:

• “Emergent Properties in the Honey Bee Superorganism”: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/0005772X.2017.1290893
• “Nectar Flows and Comb-Building”: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-54328-9_9
• “Wax secretion in honeybees: thermal integrity of the festoon”: https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.5555/19900229453
• “Festooning Bees: Lacework between the frames”: https://www.honeybeesuite.com/festooning-bees-lacework-between-the-frames/
• “Festooning Bees”: https://carolinahoneybees.com/festooning-bees/