Types of BEES

1. Types ofBEES

2. Queen BeeLifespan: 3-5 Years_____________________ Largest occupant of the hive Virtual egg factory Can produce up to 1,500 eggs each day Shortly after hatching, the virgin queen takes on nuptial flight and is fertilized for life, with the drone’s sperm stored in a special sac in her body

3. Drone BeeLifespan: 1 or 2 seasons_____________________ Stockier than the queen and a strong flier Makes up about 10% of the hive population Only purpose in life is to catch the queen during the nuptial flight and fertilize her The winner drone dies in the act The rest of drones return to the hive The worker bees care and feed for them until food gets scarce in the Fall Then the worker bees bite off their wings and throw them out into the cold

4. Worker BeeLifespan: 3-6 Weeks_____________________ Smallest in size Makes up 90% of the hive Always a sterile female The hive could not exist without her and she literally works herself to death Specializes in different tasks at different stages in her life Tasks include feeding larvae, building, cleaning, guarding the hive, secreting wax, controlling the hive temperature, collecting nectar and pollen Her long straw-like tongue siphons up nectar from deep inside flowers

5. Reference • Science and Technology for Children: Plant Growth and Development by The National Science Resource Center. Published by National Academies 2004