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What type of bee is Apis mellifera?
What type of bee is Apis mellifera?
Western honey bee
Which of these are characteristics of a honey bee colony? (Select all that apply.)
Which of these are characteristics of a honey bee colony? (Select all that apply.)
Honey bee colonies are considered to be "domesticated."
Honey bee colonies are considered to be "domesticated."
False
What is the purpose of a "bee space" in a hive?
What is the purpose of a "bee space" in a hive?
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What is the name of the beekeeper who invented the movable frame hive?
What is the name of the beekeeper who invented the movable frame hive?
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What type of bee is known for having a distinct "wasp-waist"?
What type of bee is known for having a distinct "wasp-waist"?
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Which of these features are found on a bee's leg? (Select all that apply.)
Which of these features are found on a bee's leg? (Select all that apply.)
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Which type of bee is responsible for laying eggs in a colony?
Which type of bee is responsible for laying eggs in a colony?
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Drone bees are produced from fertilized eggs.
Drone bees are produced from fertilized eggs.
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What is the name of the hormone that regulates bee development?
What is the name of the hormone that regulates bee development?
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Which of these tasks are typically performed by nurse bees? (Select all that apply.)
Which of these tasks are typically performed by nurse bees? (Select all that apply.)
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What process do bees use to convert nectar into honey?
What process do bees use to convert nectar into honey?
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Honeycomb is always built from fresh wax.
Honeycomb is always built from fresh wax.
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What is the name of the special cells that bees use to rear new queens?
What is the name of the special cells that bees use to rear new queens?
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What is the primary reason that bees perform the "wagtail dance"?
What is the primary reason that bees perform the "wagtail dance"?
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What is the name of the substance that bees use to mark their territory?
What is the name of the substance that bees use to mark their territory?
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Drone bees are responsible for defending the hive.
Drone bees are responsible for defending the hive.
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Which of these is NOT a common reason why a honey bee colony might abscond? (Select all that apply.)
Which of these is NOT a common reason why a honey bee colony might abscond? (Select all that apply.)
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Which of these factors can influence the success of a honey bee colony? (Select all that apply.)
Which of these factors can influence the success of a honey bee colony? (Select all that apply.)
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The primary function of a queen excluder is to prevent swarming.
The primary function of a queen excluder is to prevent swarming.
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What is the best time to inspect a honey bee colony? (Select all that apply.)
What is the best time to inspect a honey bee colony? (Select all that apply.)
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Honey is a good source of protein for bees.
Honey is a good source of protein for bees.
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Which of these is NOT a sign of a healthy honey bee colony? (Select all that apply.)
Which of these is NOT a sign of a healthy honey bee colony? (Select all that apply.)
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It is always necessary to feed a honey bee colony in the fall.
It is always necessary to feed a honey bee colony in the fall.
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American foulbrood (AFB) is a highly contagious disease.
American foulbrood (AFB) is a highly contagious disease.
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Varroa destructor is a parasitic mite that infects honey bees.
Varroa destructor is a parasitic mite that infects honey bees.
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What is the best way to control varroa mites in a honey bee colony? (Select all that apply.)
What is the best way to control varroa mites in a honey bee colony? (Select all that apply.)
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The tracheal mite (Acarapis woodi) is only found in Europe and North America.
The tracheal mite (Acarapis woodi) is only found in Europe and North America.
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Which of these is NOT a symptom of Nosema disease in honey bees? (Select all that apply.)
Which of these is NOT a symptom of Nosema disease in honey bees? (Select all that apply.)
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Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is a well-understood disease.
Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) is a well-understood disease.
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Pesticides can have a negative impact on honey bee colonies.
Pesticides can have a negative impact on honey bee colonies.
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Which of these practices can help to reduce the risk of pesticide poisoning in honey bee colonies? (Select all that apply.)
Which of these practices can help to reduce the risk of pesticide poisoning in honey bee colonies? (Select all that apply.)
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Neonicotinoid insecticides are a relatively new type of insecticide that has been linked to bee deaths.
Neonicotinoid insecticides are a relatively new type of insecticide that has been linked to bee deaths.
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Which of these is NOT a benefit of having strong honey bee colonies? (Select all that apply.)
Which of these is NOT a benefit of having strong honey bee colonies? (Select all that apply.)
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Honey bees are the only insects that can pollinate crops.
Honey bees are the only insects that can pollinate crops.
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What is the name of the process by which bees transfer pollen from one flower to another?
What is the name of the process by which bees transfer pollen from one flower to another?
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Cross-pollination is always beneficial to plants.
Cross-pollination is always beneficial to plants.
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Which of these is NOT a common method of pollination? (Select all that apply.)
Which of these is NOT a common method of pollination? (Select all that apply.)
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Honey bees are the most important pollinators of crops in the world.
Honey bees are the most important pollinators of crops in the world.
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The decline of honey bee populations is a serious problem that could have a negative impact on the global food supply.
The decline of honey bee populations is a serious problem that could have a negative impact on the global food supply.
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What is the name of the parasitic mite that is considered to be the most serious threat to honey bee colonies in North America?
What is the name of the parasitic mite that is considered to be the most serious threat to honey bee colonies in North America?
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The tracheal mite (Acarapis woodi) is more common in North America than the varroa mite.
The tracheal mite (Acarapis woodi) is more common in North America than the varroa mite.
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Honey extracted from a colony infected with American Foulbrood (AFB) is safe for human consumption.
Honey extracted from a colony infected with American Foulbrood (AFB) is safe for human consumption.
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The use of pesticides is always necessary to control pests in agricultural settings.
The use of pesticides is always necessary to control pests in agricultural settings.
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Study Notes
Honey Bee Biology (ENVS 2210) - Final Material Summary
- Bees and Humans: Honey bees are excellent subjects for biological study, showing characteristics of human interest like aggressive behavior, hormone regulation, and immunity. Their social structures and communication systems provide valuable insights into human behavior. Honey bees are also essential for crop pollination, contributing to billions of dollars worth of agricultural production globally.
History of Beekeeping
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Ancient Times: Honey and beeswax have been used by humans for thousands of years, as evidenced in ancient Egyptian artifacts. Beekeeping, or apiculture, likely originated with intentional care and safeguarding of bee colonies.
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Early Practices: Egyptians housed colonies in clay cylinders, Greeks and Romans practiced rudimentary beekeeping in pottery or wooden hives, and Aristotle also studied honey bee biology in a way that laid the foundation for modern advancements.
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Modern Advancements: The development of the movable frame beehive in the 19th century (by Lorenzo Langstroth) sparked a revolution in beekeeping. This advancement let to the development of better techniques in bee breeding to improve honey yields.
Development, Structure, and Function
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From Egg to Adult: Honey bees undergo complete metamorphosis (egg, larva, pupa, adult). Developmental durations are different for queens, workers, and drones.
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Bee Body Segments: The bee's body is divided into three segments (head, thorax, abdomen). Each contains specialized structures that allow specific functions, including sensing, locomotion, and feeding.
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Legs, Wings, Antennae, and Mouthparts: Bees use their specialized legs for collecting and carrying pollen, as well as other tasks. Two pairs of wings are attached to the thorax to enable flight, and antennae and mouthparts play crucial roles in sensing the environment and acquiring nourishment.
The Dance Language
- Communication: Honey bees use a complex dance language to communicate information about food sources to other bees. The round dance signals the presence of food within 80 metres from the hive; the waggle dance denotes the food source is further than 80 metres, indicating its location in relation to the position of the sun.
Colony Reproduction and Sex Determination
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Swarming: This natural process enables the reproduction and dispersal of honeybee colonies. A swarm usually contains a new queen and a large part of the workers, with the old queen remaining in the original hive.
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Queen Rearing & Mating: The process of raising new queens, the role of drones in mating, and the factors causing queen supersedure are significant for colony survival.
Bee Types and Division of Labour
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Worker, Drone, and Queen: The honeybee colony consists of different castes(types) of bees- worker, drone and queen. Workers (female bees) perform various tasks (building comb, foraging, cleaning, caring for brood, and defense). Drones (males) function in mating with virgin queens. The role of the queen is to lay eggs and produce pheromones.
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Age Polyethism: As they grow older, worker honey bees perform increasingly specialized tasks of greater complexity. Young workers perform basic hive maintenance, while older workers take on foraging and brood care duties.
Honey Bee Pests and Diseases
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Insects: Some common pests include wax moths (cannibalize brood and beeswax), small hive beetles (damage combs), ants, hornets, wasps, and flies, each of which often affects honey bee colonies and productivity indirectly.
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Diseases: Diseases like American Foulbrood, European Foulbrood, chalkbrood, and nosema infestations can significantly affect colony health, and sometimes the entire colony perishes if not effectively treated.
Other Hive Products and Benefits from Bees
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Beeswax: A natural and stable hydrocarbon secreted through glands, used in candles, cosmetics, and other crafts, which makes up a substantial part of the combs.
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Pollen: A nutritious protein-rich source collected by forager bees, used in dietary supplements for humans and animal, which is mixed with honey to form bee bread.
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Royal Jelly: A viscous secretion from worker bees used as a food for queen and young larvae. It possesses various proteins, lipids, and vitamins, and used as nutritional supplements.
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Bee Venom: A complex mixture of proteins used in many cultures, usually only used to treat certain types of conditions (arthritis and MS.
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