Bee Basics
As bees collect nectar, they also gather a powdery substance. What is this substance called?
Pollen
What is the primary role of honeybees in the ecosystem related to plants?
The primary role of honeybees is to pollinate plants, helping them produce fruits, seeds, and new plants.
What sweet substance do honeybees produce from nectar?
Honey
What is the name of the phenomenon where honeybee colonies suddenly die or disappear?
Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD)
How many wings does a honeybee have?
Four wings (two pairs of wings)
What part of the flower do bees visit to collect nectar?
The petals
When a honeybee lands on a flower, what part of its body collects pollen?
The legs and the hairy body of the honeybee collect pollen
What is the name of the substance honeybees produce that is often used by humans as a natural antibiotic and in skincare products?
Propolis
What tiny parasite, often found on honeybees, is known to spread viruses and weaken the bees?
Varroa mite
How many eyes does a honeybee have
Five eyes (two large compound eyes and three small simple eyes).
Why is pollination important for plants?
Pollination is essential because it allows plants to produce seeds and fruits, enabling them to reproduce and grow new plants.
How does pollen get transferred from one flower to another by honeybees
As honeybees move from flower to flower, the pollen stuck to their bodies rubs off onto the next flower's stigma, leading to pollination.
What is royal jelly, and who in the hive eats it?
Royal jelly is a nutritious substance produced by worker bees, and it is primarily eaten by the queen bee and developing queen larvae.
How do pesticides negatively affect honeybees?
Pesticides can poison bees, impair their ability to navigate, and weaken their immune systems, leading to colony collapse.
What is the average lifespan of a worker honeybee during the summer?
About six weeks
What is the process called when pollen from one flower is transferred to another flower of the same species?
Cross-pollination.
Approximately what percentage of the world's food crops are pollinated by honeybees?
Honeybees pollinate about 70-80% of the world’s food crops.
What material do honeybees use to build their honeycomb?
Beeswax
What is one environmental factor that threatens honeybee habitats and food sources?
Habitat loss due to urbanization, agriculture, and deforestation
How fast can a honeybee fly?
About 15 miles per hour
Besides honeybees, name two other types of pollinators
Butterflies and hummingbirds (other acceptable answers could include bats, beetles, or other bee species like bumblebees).
Why are honeybees considered more effective pollinators than other insects?
Honeybees are more effective because they are social insects that live in large colonies, allowing them to visit many flowers in a day. They also have specialized structures like the pollen basket (corbicula) on their legs to carry pollen efficiently.
What is bee pollen, and why is it collected by bees?
Bee pollen is a mixture of flower pollen, nectar, enzymes, honey, wax, and bee secretions. Bees collect it as a source of protein and other nutrients for the hive.
Besides parasites and pesticides, name one disease that can affect honeybee colonies.
Nosema, a fungal infection, or American Foulbrood, a bacterial disease.
How many trips to flowers does it take for honeybees to make one pound of honey?
Approximately 2 million trips