In the Hive...

While there is a lot to learn about bees, the best place to start is in the hive. A healthy hive is crucial to the survival of the Apis mellifera species. Honey bees are considered to be a eusocial species, one that shows an advanced level of social organization. This organization starts within the hive. In other words, a hive is the center of honey bee life. The hive not only serves as a protective home to the bees, but also as a place for honey production and breeding. Every hive contains three types of members that each play a unique role in its structure and organization: the Queen, the Worker bees (female), and the Drones (male).

1. Queen: There is one queen per hive and she is in charge of reproduction. She is the largest member of the hive and lays all of the eggs.
2. Drones: These are the male members that exist solely to provide sperm to the queen. Drones are slightly larger than female bees and die once they have mated with the queen.
3. Worker bees: These female members make up a majority of the hive. They are responsible for collecting pollen and nectar, producing honey, and overall construction and maintenance of the hive. In addition, worker bees seek out destinations for new hives and food sources through communicative dances.

Well, this is what the overall structure of a honey bee hive looks like. While there is a lot more to learn about the hive, having a basic grasp as to what goes on with in a bee community is the first step to understanding our favorite pollinator.

This information was found at: Readicker-Henderson, Ed, and Ilona. A Short History of the Honey Bee: Humans, Flowers, and Bees in the Eternal Chase for Honey. Portland: Timber, 2009. Print.