A bee larva represents the second stage in a bee’s four-part life cycle, emerging from an egg. The organism is a small, white, and legless grub whose primary function is to consume food and grow. This worm-like form is a foundational phase, setting the groundwork for its transformation into a pupa and then a fully developed adult bee.
The Bee Larval Stage
Upon hatching, the bee larva has a curved, C-shaped body that is segmented but has no legs, wings, or antennae. Residing within a hexagonal wax cell in the honeycomb, the larva is entirely dependent on adult worker bees for its care and feeding. The larval stage is characterized by rapid growth, which requires the larva to molt, or shed its skin, about five times. Each molt allows the larva to increase in size within its individual cell.
Larval Diet and Development
A larva’s diet is managed by nurse bees and determines its future role in the colony. For the first few days, all larvae are fed royal jelly, a protein-rich secretion from worker bees. After this period, the diet of most larvae changes to “bee bread,” a mixture of pollen and nectar, and they are destined to become worker bees.
A small number of female larvae are selected to become queens and are fed exclusively on royal jelly. This specialized diet enables the larva to grow larger and develop reproductive organs, demonstrating how nutrition governs the caste system.
Threats to Bee Larvae
Bee larvae face threats from pests and diseases. One of the most common is the Varroa mite (Varroa destructor), an external parasite that feeds on developing larvae. Mites reproduce within capped brood cells, which weakens the larvae, can cause deformities, and spreads viruses.
Bacterial diseases present another danger. American Foulbrood (AFB) and European Foulbrood (EFB) are two highly contagious infections that target larvae. Caused by Paenibacillus larvae, AFB kills the larva after its cell has been capped, and the decaying remains spread spores. EFB, caused by Melissococcus plutonius, infects larvae at an earlier stage, often killing them before the cell is capped.
Human Interaction with Bee Larvae
Humans interact with bee larvae in the contexts of food and agriculture. In many parts of the world, bee larvae, often called bee brood, are consumed as a food source. Rich in protein, they are considered a delicacy in some cultures and can be prepared in various ways, including boiling or frying.
For beekeepers, bee larvae serve a different purpose as an indicator of a colony’s health. A solid, continuous pattern of capped cells suggests a healthy queen and colony, while a spotty brood pattern can alert the beekeeper to problems such as disease, a failing queen, or pests.