Honey Bee Biology

Adapted from Dr. Dewey Caron PowerPoint

What’s in a name?

• Classification system

Kingdom - AnimalPhylum

2 of interest are..

Chordata – backboned vertebrate animals - includes humans

Arthropoda – jointed limbed invertebrates that possess an exoskeleton - includes insects

What’s in a name?

• Classification system

Kingdom - AnimalPhylum - ArthropodaShared Arthropod characteristics are….

1. Segmented bodies of 2/3 regions2. Paired segmented appendages3. Exoskeleton4. Bilateral symmetry5. Central alimentary tube6. Open circulatory system7. Sexual reproduction

What’s in a name?

• Classification system

Kingdom - AnimalPhylum - Arthropoda

Several Arthropod classes…Class insecta have..

1. 3 body regions2. One pair antennae3. Three pairs of legs4. 1 or 2 pairs of wings usually

Class

What’s in a name?

• Classification system

Kingdom - AnimalPhylum - Arthropoda

30 + Insect orders – 5 largest are...

1. Coleoptera = beetles2. Lepidoptera = butterflies & moths3. Hymenoptera = bees, wasps & ants4. Diptera = flies5. Heteroptera = bugs, aphids, etc

Class - InsectaOrder

Insect Sociality

• EUSOCIAL

– Cooperative care of young• Pheromones or trophyllaxis

– Reproductive division of labor• Caste system

– Overlap of generations caring for young• Often elaborate/defended nests

The 3 adults - Queen

Reproductive female

2 functions

1. Lay eggs

2. Produce chemicalsBk Educ Service Photo

The three adults - Drone

Male sex – not caste

Mate with new queen (= virgins)

Perhaps contribute to “normalcy”?

Hive Bee “Work”

• Includes…– cleaning– nursing– nectar ripening

& honey storage- pack pollen- secrete wax- guarding

What is a Honey Bee?

• Answer … one of three adult forms each

with own tasks (Division of labor)

queen honey bee, worker honey bee

drone honey bee

What is a Honey Bee?

►Answer ….. one of three adult forms each

with own tasks (Division of labor)

►►Answer ..... worker bees who perform different Answer ..... worker bees who perform different tasks according to age and gland developmenttasks according to age and gland developmentHive bees such as cleaning worker bee, nurse bee, Hive bees such as cleaning worker bee, nurse bee, nectar ripening bee, wax secreting bee, guard beenectar ripening bee, wax secreting bee, guard beeField bees foraging for nectar/pollen/water/propolisField bees foraging for nectar/pollen/water/propolis

BUT ALSO……BUT ALSO……

… … one of three development stagesone of three development stages (=brood)(=brood)

Bee Brood Summary

Figure 4-9

Sex/Caste Differentiation

Fertilized egg Unfertilized egg Fertilized egg

Heavy feeding Heavy feeding of Light feeding ofof royal jelly brood food, then brood food, then

honey, and pollen honey, and pollen

Cornell collection

Queen ovariesQueen ovaries Worker ovariesWorker ovaries

Communication

• Honey bees eusocial• Prof von Frisch

discovered their communication basics

• A bee discovers a food source….

she returns home to tell her sisters

where it is, how far, & how good !

Round Dance

Quick short steps in narrow circlesOn beeswax comb

Food close

Odor & taste clues

Richness clues

Wagtail Dance

Bee makes ½circle, straightrun while waggling Abdomen then ½ circle again

Distance

DirectionOdor & taste clues

Richness clues