Honey bees consume the honey they produce, which is a fundamental aspect of their biology and survival. This consumption serves various purposes within the colony’s intricate social structure.
Honey’s Role as Food
Honey provides the primary energy source for adult honey bees, supplying carbohydrates essential for flight, foraging, and maintaining hive activities. All members of the colony, including worker bees, drones, and the queen, rely on honey for their metabolic needs. Worker bees, for instance, consume honey to refuel after long foraging expeditions, burning energy as they transport nectar and pollen back to the hive.
Beyond fueling adult bees, honey is a component in the diet of developing larvae. Young larvae are initially fed royal jelly, a milky secretion produced by nurse bees whose production is fueled by honey and pollen. After the first few days, most larvae transition to a diet of “bee bread,” which is a fermented mixture of pollen and honey. This bee bread supplies proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids essential for larval growth and development.
Honey also provides micronutrients such as vitamins and minerals, which are present in varying concentrations depending on the floral source. While pollen is the primary source of protein and lipids for bees, honey contributes to a balanced diet by offering carbohydrates, various sugars, and some amino acids. This diverse nutritional profile supports the overall health and longevity of the bee colony.
How Bees Consume Honey
Bees consume honey directly from the hexagonal cells of the honeycomb. They use their proboscis, a tongue-like mouthpart, to lap up the stored liquid, which provides immediate energy for individual bees.
Beyond individual feeding, bees engage in a communal process known as trophallaxis, which is the mouth-to-mouth transfer of food. Foraging bees returning to the hive with nectar or partially processed honey regurgitate it to receiver bees, who then process it further or distribute it. This food sharing ensures that nutrients are distributed efficiently throughout the colony, reaching nurse bees, drones, and the queen.
Trophallaxis also plays a role in distributing pheromones and other chemical signals, facilitating communication and social cohesion within the hive. This method is especially important for young bees, old workers, drones, and the queen, who may have limited capacity to digest pollen directly.
Honey’s Importance for Colony Survival
Honey serves as the colony’s primary food reserve, carefully stored to ensure survival during periods when external food sources are scarce. This includes winter months when foraging is not possible due to cold temperatures or lack of blooming flowers. A healthy colony may store a substantial amount of honey, with estimates for northern climates suggesting around 90 pounds of reserves needed for winter survival.
During winter, honey bees form a tight cluster within the hive, vibrating their muscles to generate heat and maintain a consistent internal temperature, often around 97 degrees Fahrenheit in the cluster’s core. The stored honey fuels this thermoregulation, allowing the colony to endure freezing conditions. Without adequate honey reserves, a colony risks starvation and cannot maintain the warmth necessary for its survival through the cold season.
Honey reserves are also crucial during periods of inclement weather or nectar dearth, which can occur at any time of year. These reserves provide a buffer, preventing starvation and allowing the colony to persist until new floral resources become available.