Apiculture: Study of Honey Bees

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Questions and Answers

What is apiculture?

study of bees

What is the scientific name for the honey bee?

Apis mellifera

What is the role of a queen bee?

female, reproductively active, lays fertilized eggs

What is the role of a worker bee?

female, not reproductively active, all functions for the survival of the colony Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a drone bee?

male, fertilizes the queen Signup and view all the answers

What is organizational dynamics in bees?

behavioral and chemical language Signup and view all the answers

What is a honey bee colony often described as?

superorganism Signup and view all the answers

Where do honey bees typically live? (Select all that apply)

Cavities Signup and view all the answers

What are man-made bee hives primarily characterized by? (Select all that apply)

Modern hive Signup and view all the answers

What is honey made from?

sugar and nectar of flowers, main carbohydrate, winter food supply Signup and view all the answers

What is hibernation in the context of bees?

state of inactivity and low metabolic activity characterized by lower body temperature, slower breathing, and conservation of energy Signup and view all the answers

Do honey bees hibernate?

False Signup and view all the answers

What is the advantage of not hibernating for honey bees?

large spring population Signup and view all the answers

What is a disadvantage of honey bees not hibernating?

can starve without large amounts of food stored (60-80 lbs) Signup and view all the answers

What are some examples of other bee products? (Select all that apply)

Pollen Signup and view all the answers

Which states have the honey bee as the state insect? (Select all that apply)

Arkansas Signup and view all the answers

What fraction of the American diet is dependent on pollination?

1/3 Signup and view all the answers

What is pollination?

transfer of pollen from one flower to another Signup and view all the answers

What are some crops that are pollinated by bees?

cherries, apples, pears, nectarines, peaches, apricots, kiwi, raspberries, blackberries, boysenberries, tangerines, lemons, limes, cantaloupe, cucumbers, eggplant, beans, almonds, macadamia, chestnut, cashew, onion, celery, beet, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, safflower, caraway, cotton, flax, allspice, sesame Signup and view all the answers

What nutrients does pollen provide bees?

protein, fat, vitamins, minerals Signup and view all the answers

What are the five senses that bees use?

sight, taste, touch, smell, hearing Signup and view all the answers

What is a hobbyist in beekeeping?

beekeeping is not a significant source of income, used for honey and to pollinate garden Signup and view all the answers

What is a sideline beekeeper?

beekeeping is a secondary source of income, pollination contract or honey sales Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a commercial beekeeper?

beekeeping is the primary source of income Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Apiculture

The study of bees and their management is known as apiculture.

Honey Bee

Scientific name for honey bee is Apis mellifera.

Queen Bee

The queen bee is the reproductive female in a colony responsible for laying fertilized eggs.

Worker Bee

Worker bees are non-reproductive females that perform all colony survival functions.

Drone Bee

Drones are male bees that have the primary role of fertilizing the queen.

Organizational Dynamics

Honey bees communicate through behavioral and chemical language, allowing for effective colony organization.

Honey Bee Colony

A honey bee colony functions as a superorganism, where individual bees work together for the health of the colony.

Habitat of Honey Bees

Honey bees typically reside in cavities, prefer high ground, seek dark spaces, and utilize wax for building honeycombs.

Man-Made Bee Hives

Modern hives replace traditional straw skeps, which are illegal due to inability to check for diseases.

Honey

Honey is produced from the sugar and nectar of flowers, serving as the primary carbohydrate and winter food supply for bees.

Hibernation

Hibernation is characterized by low metabolic activity with reduced body temperature and energy conservation.

Honey Bees and Hibernation

Honey bees do not hibernate; they benefit from a large spring population but risk starvation without sufficient food stores (60-80 lbs is ideal).

Other Bee Products

Additional products from bees include honey, wax, pollen, royal jelly, propolis, and bee venom.

State Insects

Several states, including Arkansas, Georgia, and Wisconsin, have designated the honey bee as their state insect.

Importance of Bees

Bees contribute to one-third of the American diet through pollination of various crops.

Pollination Process

Pollination involves the transfer of pollen between flowers, critical for plant reproduction.

Crops Pollinated by Bees

Honey bees are essential for pollinating fruits like cherries, apples, and vegetables including cucumbers and broccoli.

Nutritional Role of Pollen

Pollen serves as a vital nutrient source for bees, providing proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals.

Five Senses of Bees

Honey bees utilize sight, taste, touch, smell, and hearing to locate flowers and navigate back home.

Hobbyist Beekeepers

Hobbyist beekeeping is primarily for personal use, yielding honey and pollination for gardens.

Sideliner Beekeepers

Sideliners operate beekeeping as a secondary income source, often through pollination contracts or honey sales.

Commercial Beekeeping

For commercial beekeepers, the practice serves as the primary income source, highly dependent on honey production and pollination services.

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of apiculture, focusing on honey bees, their roles in a colony, and their habitats. Learn about the queen, worker, and drone bees, as well as the dynamics of a honey bee colony and the use of man-made hives.