Nectar/Pollen collection Nectar/pollen collecting bee w/ blue pollen L. Connor Photo R. Williamson Photo pollen Nectar sucked into honey stomach
Propolis/ Water collection S. Repasky Photo L. Connor Photo propolis
Bee Brood 3 developmental stages – spent entirely within hexagonal waxen cells built as parallel comb egg L. Connor photo
Bee Brood – egg/larva stage 3 BROOD [= developmental] stages – spent entirely within hexagonal beeswax cells (parallel comb) egg larva (note size) NOTE SPELLING 1 =larva, 2 += larvae R Williamson photo Growth stage termed instar, each day larvae molt to larger size Egg/pupa stages don’t grow/eat
Bee Brood - Pupa stage L. Connor Photo Egg Larva Pupa Capped brood (=pupae) L. Connor Photo
Bee Brood 3 developmental stages spent within hexagonal waxen cells - parallel combs egg larva pupa Transition from larva to adult form within capped cell worker Queen (hang vertical)
Brood Development Summary Differentiation of queen and worker castes occurs during larval growth Brood stage Queen QueenWorkerDrone egg egg larval larval pupal pupal Queen develops vertically, worker/drone horizontally Drone egg unfertilized Queen larva receives only royal jelly in excess Queens develop 16 days, workers 21, drones 24 J. Zwalisak Drawing Wk DR QN
Sex/Caste Differentiation Fertilized eggUnfertilized eggFertilized egg Heavy feedingHeavy feeding of Light feeding of of royal jellybrood food, then brood food, thenhoney, and pollen Cornell collection Queen ovaries Worker ovaries
Ripening honey top Brood (egg stage) below Beeswax Comb L. Connor Photo 2 cells pollen
Typical annual cycle Seasonal cycle driven by flowering plants Beekeeper Management keys adult/brood population adult/brood population