Mike Clinton
Introduction: What is a Bee Hive?
A beehive is a highly organized and complex home for honeybees. The hive is made up of hexagonal cells made of wax, which are used for storing honey, pollen, and developing brood. The hive is also home to a diverse cast of bees, each with their own unique role, all working together to keep the hive healthy, productive, and functioning.
The Queen Bee: Leader of the Hive
The queen bee is the mother of the hive and the only bee that lays eggs. She is responsible for maintaining the hive’s population by laying up to 2,000 eggs per day. She also emits pheromones that regulate the behavior of the other bees in the hive. The queen bee is tended to by a retinue of worker bees, who feed and groom her, as well as regulate the temperature of the hive to ensure her comfort.
Drones: The Male Bees in the Hive
Drones are male bees in the hive whose sole purpose is to mate with the queen. They do not have stingers and do not collect food or water. Drones are generally larger than worker bees and have wider eyes to help them locate the queen in flight. Once they have mated, the drones are usually expelled from the hive or die off during the winter months.
Worker Bees: The Female Bees that Keep the Hive Running
Worker bees are female bees that carry out the majority of tasks in the hive. They collect nectar and pollen, build and repair the hive, and care for the developing brood. Worker bees are also responsible for regulating the temperature of the hive, with some bees fanning their wings to cool the hive, while others cluster together to keep it warm.
Nurse Bees: Caring for the Hive’s Developing Brood
Nurse bees are a subset of worker bees that care for the developing brood. They feed them with a special type of honey called royal jelly, which helps the brood develop into strong and healthy bees. Nurse bees also clean the cells, remove dead or sick brood, and regulate the temperature of the brood nest.
Forager Bees: Collecting Nectar and Pollen for the Hive
Forager bees are worker bees that leave the hive to collect nectar and pollen from flowers. They use their sense of smell to locate flowers, and their long tongues to suck up nectar. Forager bees also collect pollen, which they carry back to the hive on their legs. Once back at the hive, the forager bees deposit the nectar and pollen in the appropriate cells for storage.
Guard Bees: Protecting the Hive from Intruders
Guard bees are worker bees that protect the hive from intruders, such as other bees or animals. They station themselves at the entrance of the hive and use their mandibles to ward off any threats. Guard bees also detect pheromones of potential intruders and sound the alarm to alert the other bees in the hive.
Undertaker Bees: Removing Dead Bees from the Hive
Undertaker bees are worker bees that remove dead bees from the hive. They carry the dead bees outside the hive and drop them away from the entrance to prevent the spread of disease. Undertaker bees also remove other debris from the hive, such as wax or other waste material.
Hive Cleaning Bees: Maintaining a Sanitary Hive
Hive cleaning bees are worker bees that keep the hive clean and sanitary. They remove debris, such as dead bees, wax, or other waste material, from the hive. They also clean the cells where the brood develops, ensuring that they are free of debris and disease.
Scout Bees: Discovering New Sources of Food and Water
Scout bees are worker bees that search for new sources of food and water for the hive. They leave the hive and fly in a zigzag pattern, using their sense of smell to detect sources of nectar or water. Once they find a source, they return to the hive and perform a special dance to alert the other bees of the location of the food or water source.