Bee Biology and Apis Dorsata

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Questions and Answers

What is the common habitat for Apis dorsata?

Dense forests with thick canopies

Exposed places far off the ground (correct)

Caves and underground burrows

Low-lying wetlands and marshes

In which regions is Apis dorsata predominantly found?

North America and Europe

Australia and New Zealand

South America and Africa

Southern and southeastern Asia (correct)

Where do Apis dorsata typically build their nests?

Underwater and inside hollow trees

In open fields and meadows

On tree limbs and under cliff overhangs (correct)

Inside buildings and attics

Which of the following statements about Apis dorsata is true?

They are commonly found in tropical regions. Signup and view all the answers

Which construction method is characteristic of Apis dorsata nests?

Building nests in exposed, elevated locations Signup and view all the answers

What environmental conditions can certain bee species tolerate?

Extreme drought and heat Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic is typical of large bee colonies?

They exhibit frequent swarming behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true about the classification of bees in a particular region?

Each area has unique bee species that vary. Signup and view all the answers

Regarding the biology of bees, what is a notable feature of worker bees' lifespan?

Their lifespan phases include various stages of activity. Signup and view all the answers

What unique aspect needs to be understood regarding bees in different regions?

Knowledge of each region's specific bee species is important. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary task that Nurse Bee performs during her first 12 days of life?

Cleaning the cells from which bees recently emerged Signup and view all the answers

At what age does Nurse Bee begin to feed larvae that are more than 3 days old?

3-5 days of age Signup and view all the answers

Which age group of larvae does Nurse Bee start feeding at days 6-12 of her life?

Larvae that are 1-3 days old Signup and view all the answers

What does Nurse Bee feed to the younger larvae she cares for?

A mixture of honey or nectar and pollen Signup and view all the answers

Which task does Nurse Bee NOT perform during her first 12 days of life?

Harvesting honey Signup and view all the answers

What behavior do foraging bees exhibit towards the dancer in the hive?

They touch the dancer with their antennae. Signup and view all the answers

What does the dancer do periodically during the dance?

Regurgitates nectar to feed other bees. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the dancer's actions in the hive?

To communicate the location of food sources. Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the bee's body is primarily used to make contact with the dancer?

The antennae. Signup and view all the answers

What does the act of regurgitating nectar by the dancer symbolize in a bee hive?

A method of sharing food among the hive. Signup and view all the answers

What happens to returning foragers when they approach the hive entrance?

They can easily pass through without issues. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason foreign intruders are repelled by the colony's guards?

They carry a different odor than the hive. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true regarding the dynamics at the hive entrance?

Only bees with matching odors can enter without being challenged. Signup and view all the answers

What is a behavioral characteristic of defending guards in relation to foreign bees?

They are vigilant against bees with different odors. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor plays a crucial role in the acceptance of bees at the hive entrance?

The odor of the bee in comparison to the hive's odor. Signup and view all the answers

What tasks do field bees perform once they reach the age of 21 days?

Collecting nectar and pollen Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a task performed by nurse bees within the hive?

Collecting water Signup and view all the answers

What initiates the behavioral changes in a bee every three days during its development?

Stage of development Signup and view all the answers

During which daily time frame do honeybees primarily engage in foraging activities?

Throughout the day Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not an internal factor affecting honeybee behavior?

Time of day Signup and view all the answers

What type of flight do workers typically begin during their first two days of life?

Orientation flight Signup and view all the answers

What environmental condition is ideal for honeybee orientation flights?

Warm and windless Signup and view all the answers

How far can honeybees travel during foraging trips?

Up to 6 km Signup and view all the answers

Which internal factor is responsible for some inherited behaviors in honeybees?

Genetic composition Signup and view all the answers

What do honeybees rely on to navigate during foraging trips?

Visual landmarks Signup and view all the answers

What happens to honeybees in terms of activity when light begins to fade?

They reduce their activities. Signup and view all the answers

Which external factor can negatively affect honeybee behavior?

Loud noises Signup and view all the answers

What substance do honeybees collect to produce honey?

Nectar Signup and view all the answers

What role do nurse bees predominantly play within the hive during the first 21 days of a bee's life?

Cleaning and feeding larvae Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Beekeeping Terminology

Apidology: The science of studying honey bees.
Apiculture: The management and maintenance of bees, especially honey bees, for recreation or economic benefit.
Apiarist: A person who works with bees.
Apiary: A place where multiple beehives are kept.
Hive: The box where a bee colony lives.
Colony: A family of bees living together.

Significance of Beekeeping

Socio-economic: Beekeeping creates part-time or full-time employment in rural areas and increases income. It requires minimal investment and relatively simple equipment. Beekeeping is complementary to other work, not competitive. Products of beekeeping are highly valued, including honey, pollen, beeswax, royal jelly, propolis, bee venom, workers, queens, and brood. Beekeeping stimulates community spirit and helps rural people become self-reliant.
Health: Bee products (honey, pollen, wax, royal jelly, propolis) have nutritional and medicinal applications.
Environmental: Beekeeping can be carried out in semi-arid land unsuitable for other crops. Beekeepers do not necessarily need to own land because bees pollinate at least 80% of food crops, increasing crop quantity and quality. Pollination value exceeds honey/wax production by 10-20 times.

History of Beekeeping

Up to 1500: Honeybees existed long before humans. Early humans gathered honey from wild colonies (honey hunting). Beekeeping, or domestication, started at least 4,000 years ago. Beekeeping remained confined to the ancient world until the 16th century. Beehives were made of natural materials like mud, wood, or straw.
1500-1851: Scientific and technological developments made bee biology and life cycles better understood. Franz Huber (1750) created the first hive with a single frame. Honeybees spread to new continents like America and Australia.
1851 and after: Beekeeping became widespread throughout the world. Modern beehives with movable frames were developed, and beekeeping became a significant industry, especially in developed countries.

Bee Biology

Queen bee: The mother of the colony; her primary function is egg laying. A queen typically lives for 2-5 years. Worker bees are also females but do not lay eggs and have rudimentary reproductive systems.
Worker bees: Carry out all internal and external colony activities. Workers feed on honey, pollen, and bee bread. They perform various roles including nursing, cleaning, building combs, collecting nectar and pollen from flowers, defending the hive. They live for a few weeks or months depending on seasonal conditions.
Drone bees: Male honeybees; their main function is mating with the queen. They have shorter lifespans and die after mating.

Beekeeping Development in Jordan

Modern wooden Langstroth hives with movable frames were introduced in Jordan in 1976. Despite recent growth, Jordan still imports a significant amount of honey.

Bee Races

European Races: German bee (Apis mellifera mellifera), Italian bee (Apis mellifera ligustica), Carniolan bee (Apis mellifera carnica).
Oriental Races: Apis florea (small bee), Apis dorsata (giant bee).
African Races: Yamani bee, Sudanese bee, Syrian bee, Egyptian bee, and Tunisian bee, are native to the Middle East and Africa.

Beekeeping Activities

Orientation flight: Young worker bees conduct short flights around the hive to learn its location and surroundings, before going on foraging journeys.
Communication: Honeybees communicate through chemical signals (pheromones) and dance.
Food transmission: Worker bees bring nectar and pollen back to the hive and share it with other bees.
Defense: Worker bees defend the hive with stinging, patrolling the hive entrance.
Temperature regulation: Bees maintain a constant temperature inside the hive through fanning and water distribution.
Cleaning: Worker bees clean the hive and their bodies.
Brood nursing: Worker bees of different ages feed and care for larval bees, giving them food and caring for them.

Beekeeping Practices

Beekeeping techniques: Modern practices involve using movable frames, and beekeeping equipment like bee suits and protective gear.
Beekeeping equipment: Includes bee suits, protective gear, and special equipment like smokers.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the biology and habitat of Apis dorsata, the giant honey bee. This quiz covers their nesting behaviors, environmental tolerances, and the roles of Nurse Bees. Expand your understanding of these fascinating insects and their significance in different regions.