Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are eusocial insects known for their role in pollination and honey production. They live in well-organized colonies consisting of a single queen, workers, and drones. Honeybees are vital for ecosystems and agriculture, contributing to the reproduction of flowering plants and the production of honey, beeswax, and other by-products.

Data:

  • Habitat:

    • Temperature: Ideal: 15-35°C (59-95°F); can survive -20°C to 40°C (-4°F to 104°F) with hive insulation and support.
    • Pressure: 101.3 kPa (1 atm); thrive at standard atmospheric pressure.
    • Humidity: 40-60% optimal within the hive; can manage variations by ventilating and regulating hive environment.
    • Oxygen: Standard atmospheric levels (19.5-23.5%).
    • CO2: Tolerable up to 0.1%; higher levels can harm hive health.
    • Light: Diurnal; sensitive to sunlight and use it for navigation and foraging.

  • Nutrition:

    • Water: For cooling and hydration; foragers collect small amounts as needed.
    • Calories: Gather nectar and pollen; energy needed to maintain hive temperature and for flight.
    • Macronutrients:
      • Carbohydrates: Nectar is converted to honey, providing energy.
      • Proteins: Pollen is used for feeding larvae and maintaining adult health.
      • Fats: Minimal; present in pollen and used for growth and maintenance.
    • Vitamins: B complex from pollen (growth and development).
    • Minerals: Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium from pollen (overall hive health).

  • Production:

    • CO2: Low individual output; collectively, hive ventilation regulates levels.
    • Waste: Minimal waste; defecation occurs outside the hive.
    • Heat: Hive maintained at 32-35°C for brood development; bees generate heat through shivering.
    • Honey: Convert nectar into honey for storage and hive sustenance.

  • Reproduction:

    • Method: Queen lays eggs; drones fertilize during mating flights.
    • Gestation: 21 days for worker bees; 24 days for drones; 16 days for queens.
    • Cycle: Queen can lay thousands of eggs per day during peak season.
    • Offspring: One queen per colony; thousands of worker bees; drones are seasonal.
    • Care: Workers feed and care for developing larvae until adulthood.

  • Sleep/Rest:

    • Cycle: Workers rest in short bursts; queens rest intermittently when not laying eggs.
    • Active Period: Diurnal; forage during daylight hours.

  • Lifespan: Workers: 4-6 weeks (longer in winter); Drones: several weeks; Queens: 1-3 years.

  • Growth:

    • Maturity: Workers and drones reach maturity in 2-3 weeks.
    • Size: Worker: 12-15 mm; Queen: 18-20 mm; Drone: 15-17 mm.

  • Uses:

    • For Humans: Honey production, beeswax, pollination of crops.
    • Ecosystem: Pollinators that support plant reproduction and biodiversity.

  • Special Traits:

    • Pollination: Essential for cross-pollinating flowers and crops, aiding in plant reproduction.
    • Social Structure: Live in colonies with a defined caste system (queen, workers, drones).
    • Communication: Use the “waggle dance” to convey foraging locations.
    • Hive Maintenance: Regulate temperature, build comb structures, and protect against intruders.
    • Queen Production: Workers can raise new queens if the current queen fails or dies.
    • Foraging Efficiency: Travel up to 5 km from the hive, navigating using the sun and landmarks.