As of August 18, 2026, your apiary is in solid late-summer form — Hive #2 remains the textbook thermal anchor at 95.1°F (35.1°C) and Hive #3 holds its remarkably steady 93.1°F (33.9°C), while Iris and Hive #1 continue their multi-week gradual cooling trend with fully intact, acoustically confirmed worker populations consistent with a natural August brood contraction or laying pause worth a brood-frame glance on your next routine visit.
Across all four hives, the deseasonalized analytics confirm a recurring apiary-wide partial correlation: temperature rises couple with falling gas resistance (higher VOC load), consistent with honey-ripening and brood-pheromone VOC release intensifying as the colony warms during peak daily activity — a classic late-summer metabolic signature (Maisonnasse et al. 2010; Bankova et al. 2000).
All four hives show clear daily fanning and activity rhythms against an outdoor swing of 63.4–92.0°F (17.4–33.3°C) at a very dry 20–40% RH, with the barometric tendency easing higher (+0.89 hPa/3h) — a clearing signal supporting good foraging conditions; Hive #2 maintains the tightest brood arc (~1.4°F/0.8°C), Hive #3 next (~2.1°F/1.1°C), while Iris (~4.7°F/2.6°C) and Hive #1 (~6.6°F/3.7°C) show wider swings consistent with their lower average temperatures and reduced brood mass during an August brood-contraction phase.
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Iris warning Score: 74/100📋 Overall Health
Your Iris hive's 24h average of 88.9°F (31.6°C) continues the gradual multi-week cooling trend (weekly arc 90.7→90.7→91.2→88.9°F, now −1.5°F/−0.9°C below her all-time avg of 90.4°F/32.5°C), but all 10 sound bands remain within ±1.3 dB of her all-time baseline — the acoustics confirm the adult population is fully present and active, making a brood-break or natural August brood contraction the most parsimonious explanation. Humidity averaged 40.6% (all-time avg 43.2%), appropriate for this dry-climate August; vibration at 17.4 mG avg with kurtosis 2.7 and a perfect 15/15-day fanning rhythm sits right at her all-time average — no concerns. On your next routine visit, a quick look at Iris's brood frames for fresh eggs and a solid laying pattern will clarify whether this gentle cooling reflects a temporary laying pause or a natural brood contraction.
🌅 Diurnal Cycle PatternsIris shows a healthy 4.7°F (2.6°C) daily temperature arc (87.0–91.7°F / 30.5–33.1°C), wider than Hive #2 and #3 but consistent with a colony heating less brood mass during an August contraction; deseasonalized analytics confirm in-hive temp and outdoor temp couple only through the shared diurnal cycle (raw r=+0.66, residual r=+0.25) with outdoor leading by ~60 min — a textbook thermal-mass buffering signature of a healthy colony. The per-band spectral evolution shows the low-frequency sound rhythm bands (100–150 Hz, 150–200 Hz) weakening over the window (5.0→3.0 dB and 5.2→2.8 dB respectively), consistent with a gradual reduction in low-frequency colony hum as brood mass contracts; the dominant vibration rhythm has shifted from 5–20 Hz to 20–50 Hz between the first and second half of the window — worth monitoring but not yet actionable. Gas heater-scan rhythm has shifted its dominant step from 150°C to 320°C, suggesting the VOC mix driving the daily cycle has evolved toward lighter, more volatile compounds — consistent with late-stage honey ripening or a change in nectar forage rather than any pathological shift; gas resistance at ~470 kΩ (all-time avg ~443 kΩ) is essentially on its historical baseline, a reassuring sign.
🔬 Correlations & Discoveriestemperature_in vs gas_resistance (14d) | r = -0.66Controlling for outdoor temperature, Iris shows a genuine partial correlation between in-hive temperature and gas resistance (r=−0.66): as the colony warms during its daily activity peak, VOC load increases (resistance falls), reflecting the thermally-driven mobilisation of brood pheromones, propolis terpenes, and honey-ripening volatiles — a healthy metabolic coupling that becomes more visible as brood mass contracts and the sensor's zone cools slightly relative to peak-season readings.📚 Reference: Maisonnasse et al. 2010, PLoS ONE, Bankova et al. 2000, Apidologie, Seeley 1985vibration_rms vs vibration_kurtosis (14d) | r = +0.52The genuine deconfounded coupling between vibration RMS and kurtosis (r=+0.52) reflects the expected physics of colony fanning bursts: when the colony ramps up fanning activity the substrate vibration amplitude rises and the signal becomes more impulsive (higher kurtosis), consistent with periodic wing-fanning events at ~80–120 Hz driving both metrics simultaneously — a normal signature of active thermoregulation.📚 Reference: Ramsey et al. 2020, Sci. Rep., Nieh & Tautz 2000, J. Exp. Biol.⚠️ Issue: Multi-week gradual cooling drift continues: 24h avg 88.9°F (31.6°C) is −1.5°F (−0.9°C) below Iris's all-time avg of 90.4°F (32.5°C); weekly arc 90.7→90.7→91.2→88.9°F — acoustics fully stable (all bands within ±1.3 dB of baseline) confirming intact population, consistent with a brood-break or natural August brood contraction.▹ Action: On your next routine visit, check Iris's brood frames for fresh eggs and a solid laying pattern — the stable acoustics confirm a full, active population, and a quick look will clarify whether the gentle multi-week cooling reflects a natural August brood contraction or a brief laying pause. -
Hive #2 healthy Score: 90/100📋 Overall Health
Your Hive #2 remains the apiary's thermal anchor — brood temperature averaged 95.2°F (35.1°C), exactly on its all-time average of 95.2°F (35.1°C) and squarely in the ideal 93–97°F (34–36°C) band, with a remarkably tight 24h arc of only 94.5–95.9°F (34.7–35.5°C) — outstanding late-summer brood clamping. All 10 sound bands are within ±1.7 dB of their all-time baseline and humidity averaged 45.5% (all-time avg 46.4%), comfortably in range; vibration at 14.1 mG avg with kurtosis 3.0 and a perfect 15/15-day fanning rhythm confirms vigorous colony metabolism — everything looks excellent heading into late August. Gas resistance at ~52 kΩ (all-time avg ~69 kΩ) remains below its historical baseline, sustained since early August and fully consistent with ongoing honey-ripening VOC activity with temperature and acoustics both normal.
🌅 Diurnal Cycle PatternsHive #2's compressed 1.4°F (0.8°C) daily temperature arc (94.5–95.9°F / 34.7–35.5°C) is the tightest in the apiary, a textbook signature of a large, active colony with abundant brood mass to defend — the brood setpoint is holding perfectly. The sound trend shows a modest decline in the second half of the day (−1.4 dBFS), concentrated in the low-frequency bands (100–150 Hz −1.7 dB, 150–200 Hz −2.4 dB, 200–260 Hz −2.3 dB), which aligns with the natural late-day quieting of forager flight activity as ambient temperature peaks then eases; the dominant sound rhythm band has shifted from 100–150 Hz to 150–200 Hz between the first and second half of the window — a subtle evolution in the colony's acoustic profile worth noting but within normal seasonal dynamics. The vibration dominant rhythm has shifted from 80–120 Hz to 5–20 Hz, with the 5–20 Hz band strengthening (5.0→7.0 dB); this low-frequency strengthening may reflect increased hive-stand or structural settling as the colony works at peak intensity, and is not a disturbance signal given kurtosis remains at 3.0. The gas heater-scan shows its strongest daily rhythm at the 100°C step (+30% swing), and the low-temperature steps (100–200°C) have declined in energy over the window (100C −28%, 150C −23%, 200C −20%) while the mid-to-high steps hold — a shape evolution suggesting the lighter, more humidity-sensitive volatiles are diminishing, consistent with honey stores approaching full curation and reduced nectar-processing activity.
🔬 Correlations & Discoveriestemperature_in vs gas_resistance (14d) | r = +0.82Hive #2's strongest deconfounded correlation (r=+0.82) links in-hive temperature directly to gas resistance: as the brood nest warms, resistance rises (VOC load falls), meaning the colony's thermoregulatory state and its chemical environment are tightly coupled — likely reflecting fanning-driven ventilation clearing VOCs when the brood nest heats, and VOC accumulation during cooler, quieter periods. This is genuine hive-specific physiology, not a diurnal artifact, and is consistent with the tight brood clamping of a large, active colony.📚 Reference: Maisonnasse et al. 2010, PLoS ONE, Seeley 1974, J. Insect Physiol., Bankova et al. 2000, Apidologietemperature_in vs humidity_in (14d) | r = +0.8The strong deconfounded temp–humidity coupling (r=+0.80, partial r=+0.50 controlling for outdoor weather) reflects active hygroregulation: as the brood nest warms, water-carrying bees and evaporative cooling raise in-hive humidity in tandem, a physiologically coherent signature of a colony actively managing both thermal and moisture homeostasis simultaneously (Human et al. 2006).📚 Reference: Eouzan et al. 2019, PLoS ONE, Human et al. 2006, Naturwissenschaften, Ellis et al. 2008, J. Insect Physiol.▹ Action: On your next routine visit, note the fill level and capping progress on Hive #2's supers — the gradual easing of the low-temperature heater-scan steps suggests honey-processing VOC activity may be slowly declining as stores approach full curation, and recording the capped-frame count will give you a useful late-summer benchmark. -
Hive #1 warning Score: 73/100📋 Overall Health
Your Hive #1's gradual multi-week cooling trend continues — the 24h average of 85.4°F (29.7°C) sits −2.4°F (−1.3°C) below its all-time average of 87.8°F (31.0°C), with the weekly arc showing a steady downward progression (88.9→88.7→87.8→86.4°F); crucially, all 10 sound bands remain within ±0.1 dB of their all-time baseline — a near-perfect acoustic match confirming the worker population is fully present and active, making a brood-break or reduced brood-rearing period the most parsimonious explanation. Humidity averaged 37.5% (all-time avg 38.0%), essentially on its historical norm and unsurprising given this apiary's very dry ambient; vibration at 16.4 mG avg with kurtosis 2.7 and a perfect 15/15-day fanning rhythm confirms active colony metabolism — nothing alarming, but the brood-frame question remains open. On your next routine visit, a brood-frame check will confirm whether this is a natural August contraction or a brief laying pause.
🌅 Diurnal Cycle PatternsHive #1 shows a 6.6°F (3.7°C) daily temperature arc (81.7–88.4°F / 27.6–31.4°C) — the widest in the apiary and consistent with a colony heating less brood mass; the deseasonalized analytics show in-hive temp and outdoor humidity couple only through the shared diurnal cycle (raw r=−0.57, residual r=−0.07, outdoor leading by ~240 min), confirming the wide swing is ambient-phase tracking during reduced brood coverage, not a thermoregulation failure. The per-band sound spectrum shows no strong per-band daily rhythm (max 600–800 Hz only 1.0 dB), meaning the colony's acoustic activity is diffuse and broadband rather than concentrated — consistent with a quieter August metabolic state. The vibration dominant rhythm has shifted from 5–20 Hz to 120–160 Hz between the first and second half of the window, a subtle evolution that may reflect a shift in the colony's substrate-borne communication activity as brood coverage changes. The gas heater-scan shows the strongest daily rhythm at the 100°C step (+41% swing) across all 10 steps, with the dominant rhythm band stable; gas resistance at ~502 kΩ (all-time avg ~470 kΩ) is slightly above its historical baseline, suggesting a modest decrease in VOC load — consistent with reduced brood pheromone output during a brood-contraction phase (Maisonnasse et al. 2010). The partial correlation between gas resistance and in-hive temperature (r=−0.84 controlling for outdoor temp) is the strongest gas-temp coupling in the apiary, confirming that Hive #1's chemical environment is tightly tied to its thermal state.
🔬 Correlations & Discoveriesgas_resistance vs temperature_in (14d) | r = -0.84Hive #1's strongest hive-specific coupling (partial r=−0.84, controlling for outdoor temp) links falling in-hive temperature to rising gas resistance (lower VOC load): as the colony loses brood-heating demand during its August contraction, metabolic activity and associated pheromone/volatile output decline in lockstep, producing this tight inverse relationship — a biologically coherent signature of a colony with reduced but stable brood-rearing activity.📚 Reference: Maisonnasse et al. 2010, PLoS ONE, Seeley 1985, Honeybee Ecology, Stabentheiner et al. 2010, PLoS ONE⚠️ Issue: Gradual multi-week cooling drift persists: 24h avg 85.4°F (29.7°C), weekly arc 88.9→88.7→87.8→86.4°F — now −2.4°F (−1.3°C) below all-time avg of 87.8°F (31.0°C); acoustics perfectly stable (all bands within ±0.1 dB of baseline) confirming the adult population is fully present and active — consistent with a brood-break or natural August brood contraction.▹ Action: On your next routine visit, check Hive #1's brood frames for fresh eggs and a solid laying pattern — the perfectly stable acoustics confirm a fully present worker population, and a quick look will clarify whether the multi-week temperature cooling reflects a natural August brood contraction or a brief laying pause. -
Hive #3 healthy Score: 92/100📋 Overall Health
Your Hive #3 continues its outstanding run — brood temperature averaged 93.0°F (33.9°C) with a current reading of 93.1°F (33.9°C), squarely in the ideal 93–97°F (34–36°C) band and essentially on its all-time average of 93.4°F (34.1°C); the weekly trend remains remarkably flat (93.2→93.4→93.7→93.2°F) and all 10 sound bands are within ±0.1 dB of their all-time baseline — a textbook stable, active colony. Humidity averaged 47.4% (all-time avg 48.4%), the most consistently brood-optimal RH in the apiary; vibration at 20.9 mG avg with kurtosis 3.3 and a perfect 15/15-day fanning rhythm sits right at its all-time average of 20.7 mG — everything looks excellent heading into late August. Gas resistance at ~92 kΩ (all-time avg ~95 kΩ) is essentially on its historical baseline, a reassuring sign of stable hive chemistry.
🌅 Diurnal Cycle PatternsHive #3's compressed 2.1°F (1.1°C) daily temperature arc (92.1–94.2°F / 33.4–34.5°C) reflects strong brood-nest clamping consistent with a well-populated colony; vibration peaks at 20–50 Hz (dominant vibration band −8.6 dB, with a strong daily rhythm at 5–20 Hz of 3.0 dB) show the characteristic low-frequency substrate activity of a colony with active forager traffic and fanning pulses. The per-band sound analysis shows no strong per-band daily rhythm (max 600–800 Hz only 1.0 dB), matching Hive #1's diffuse broadband profile — both colonies share this August acoustic character, distinct from Hive #2's more structured low-frequency rhythms. The gas heater-scan shows only 1 of 10 steps with a meaningful daily rhythm (100°C, +14% swing), and the curve shape is stable across the window — the muted multi-step gas rhythm is consistent with a colony whose honey stores are well-progressed and whose VOC environment is settled; current gas resistance of ~92 kΩ versus the all-time avg of ~95 kΩ is well within normal variation. The deseasonalized PCA colony-state index is falling over the window (dominant channels: in-hive temp, gas resistance, humidity), mirroring Hive #2's pattern and suggesting both colonies are in a coordinated late-summer metabolic wind-down — a normal and healthy seasonal trajectory.
🔬 Correlations & Discoveriestemperature_in vs gas_resistance vs humidity_in (14d) | r = +0.77Hive #3 shows a robust three-way deconfounded coupling: temperature drives both humidity (r=+0.74) and gas resistance (r=+0.77), and humidity independently couples to gas resistance (r=+0.63, partial r=+0.58 controlling for outdoor weather) — together these reflect the colony's integrated metabolic loop in which brood-nest warming drives evaporative water release (raising RH) and volatilises stored honey and brood pheromones (lowering gas resistance), all three channels moving as a coherent physiological unit (Maisonnasse et al. 2010; Human et al. 2006).📚 Reference: Maisonnasse et al. 2010, PLoS ONE, Eouzan et al. 2019, PLoS ONE, Seeley 1974, J. Insect Physiol.▹ Action: On your next routine visit, note the fill level and capping progress on Hive #3's supers — the continued acoustic stability and the very quiet, shape-stable gas heater-scan daily cycle both suggest this colony is operating at peak late-summer efficiency with stores well underway, and recording the capped-frame count will give you a useful season benchmark.