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Describe the reproductive division of labor in a honeybee colony, and explain the role of the queen bee.
Describe the reproductive division of labor in a honeybee colony, and explain the role of the queen bee.
In a honeybee colony, the queen bee is responsible for laying eggs, which are fertilized by drones. The queen can lay up to 2,000 eggs per day, and her primary role is to ensure the survival and growth of the colony by producing new bees.
What is the difference between eusocial and solitary bees, and how many species of bee are there approximately?
What is the difference between eusocial and solitary bees, and how many species of bee are there approximately?
Eusocial bees, such as the European honeybee, exhibit generational overlap, cooperative care of offspring, and reproductive division of labor. Solitary bees, on the other hand, do not live in colonies and are responsible for all aspects of their own survival. There are approximately 20,000 species of bees, with most being solitary.
What are the different roles of worker bees in a colony, and how do larvae become different castes?
What are the different roles of worker bees in a colony, and how do larvae become different castes?
Worker bees are responsible for all duties needed to keep the colony functioning, including collecting nectar, making honey, and tending to larvae. Some may also have specialized roles, such as making honeycomb or feeding larvae. Larvae's diet determines which caste they will belong to, with royal jelly producing queen bees and a regular diet producing worker bees.
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Study Notes
- The world's bee population has decreased, and most people are familiar with social bees like honeybees and bumblebees.
- There are approximately 20,000 species of bee, and most are solitary.
- The European honeybee exhibits eusociality, with generational overlap, cooperative care of offspring, and reproductive division of labor.
- Within a colony, there are three castes: queen, worker, and drone.
- Queen bees are the reproductive caste and lay around 2,000 eggs a day.
- Worker bees perform all other duties needed to keep the colony functioning, including collecting nectar and making honey.
- Worker bees can have other roles, such as making honeycomb or feeding larvae.
- Larvae's diet determines which caste they will belong to.
- Queens normally live for three to five years and leave the nest to mate or establish a new colony.
- Worker bees live for between 6 weeks and five months.
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