 |
Honey bees, as well as all other bee species, are purely vegetarian. For this purpose, the somewhat older workers of the beehive fly
out and collect nectar and pollen of flowering plants. The nectar is brought home in the honey stomach and pollen in the so-called
basket, a special fixture on the hind legs. They are then distributed directly in the brood nest to younger workers in order to feed
the brood. In case of an excess of this – for the beekeeper this is the so-called flow - the pollen as a source of protein is deposited
near the brood nest and the nectar is deposited over the brood nest, in honeycomb cells. The nectar is then thickened through the
removal of water and hence becomes durable. Finally, a syrupy solution of sugar originates: the honey.
In Europe, honey bees are the most important pollinators of flowering plants. Around 80% of all plant species depend on across-pollination.
Of these, about 80% can be potentially pollinated again by honey bees. Mainly due to their pollination capacity, honey bees are livestock:
Bee colonies can be rented for pollination and precisely placed into plantation environments.
To enable understanding the bees use inter alia the so-called waggle dance. On this occasion the new flow
(food sources) is communicated. They use the
so-called »ring-dance« to display food
sources nearby.
The »shake-dance« is applied as a stimulus
for no-collecting bees become collecting ones.
Finally, the»tremble-dance« is used as
a request to act as nectar consumer.
« ...back
Meli Malisiova
apiculture | agriculture
