Ants, Bees, & Wasps (Order Hymenoptera)
The order Hymenoptera includes many of the most common insects - ants, bees, and wasps. This is the third largest insect order with just over 100,000 species. These articles cover the behaviors and characteristics of this order, including profiles of Hymenoptera species and families.
Characteristics: Order Hymenoptera
Hymenoptera means “membranous wings.” The third largest group in the class Insecta, this order includes ants, bees, wasps, horntails, and sawflies.
Hymenoptera means “membranous wings.” The third largest group in the class Insecta, this order includes ants, bees, wasps, horntails, and sawflies.
The Bumblebee Queen
The bumblebee queen lives just one year, from fall to fall. During that time, she survives the winter cold on her own, incubates and cares for offspring, and insures that her genetic line continues by making new queens to replace her.
The bumblebee queen lives just one year, from fall to fall. During that time, she survives the winter cold on her own, incubates and cares for offspring, and insures that her genetic line continues by making new queens to replace her.
Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)
The honey bee, Apis mellifera, is one of several species of bees that produce honey. Honey bees live in colonies, or hives, of 50,000 bees on average. A honey bee colony consists of a queen, drones, and workers. All play roles in the survival of the community.
The honey bee, Apis mellifera, is one of several species of bees that produce honey. Honey bees live in colonies, or hives, of 50,000 bees on average. A honey bee colony consists of a queen, drones, and workers. All play roles in the survival of the community.
Honey Bees - Roles Within the Honey Bee Colony
Each member of a honey bee colony has a specific role. All contribute to the survival of the colony. Queen bees lay eggs, drones mate with the queen, and workers take care of the chores.
Each member of a honey bee colony has a specific role. All contribute to the survival of the colony. Queen bees lay eggs, drones mate with the queen, and workers take care of the chores.
Honey Bees - Communication Within the Honey Bee Colony
As social insects living in a colony, honey bees must communicate with one another. Honey bees use movement, odor cues, and even food exchanges to share information.
As social insects living in a colony, honey bees must communicate with one another. Honey bees use movement, odor cues, and even food exchanges to share information.
What is Colony Collapse Disorder?
In the fall of 2006, beekeepers began reporting the disappearances of entire colonies of honeybees. Scientists named this phenomenon Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD. What are the signs and symptoms of Colony Collapse Disorder?
In the fall of 2006, beekeepers began reporting the disappearances of entire colonies of honeybees. Scientists named this phenomenon Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD. What are the signs and symptoms of Colony Collapse Disorder?
10 Possible Causes of Colony Collapse Disorder
In the fall of 2006, beekeepers in North America began reporting the disappearances of entire colonies of bees, seemingly overnight. In the U.S. alone, thousands of bee colonies were lost to Colony Collapse Disorder. Theories about the causes of Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD, emerged almost as quickly as the bees disappeared. No single cause or definitive answer has yet been identified.
In the fall of 2006, beekeepers in North America began reporting the disappearances of entire colonies of bees, seemingly overnight. In the U.S. alone, thousands of bee colonies were lost to Colony Collapse Disorder. Theories about the causes of Colony Collapse Disorder, or CCD, emerged almost as quickly as the bees disappeared. No single cause or definitive answer has yet been identified.