Nest structure

Dwarf bees

build a single comb that encompasses the twig upon which it is supported

Giant bees

build a single comb underneath a strong structure

Cavity-nesting bees

build multiple parallel combs within a cavity

Apis florea

builds cells at the crown of the nest that extend radially

Apis adreniformis

maintains a midcrib in the comb above the supporting twig

beeswax and propolis

material used by genus Apis(dwarf, giant, cavity-nesting) to build their nests

propolis

derived from plant resin

sticky ring

the use of resin by dwarf bees that surrounds the nest’s supportive twig that acts as a barrier for ants

envelope foreign objects

how is resin used in giant bees

production of propolis

how is resin used in cavity-nesting bees

cavity-nesting bees

coats the interior of the nest with propolis and paves the colony’s entrance

beeswax

consists the bulk of the nest

worker’s wax gland; underneath abdominal sternites

where is beeswax produced and where is it also secreted as scales

honeycomb

double-sided hexagonal structure where food is stored, brood is reared, and workers interact

less than 25cm across

size of comb of Apis florea

more than 30 cm across

size of comb of Apis dorsata

round small twig in dense vegetation

nesting substrate of Apis florea

underneath large tree branches, open cliffs, and human structures

nesting substrate of Apis dorsata

hexagonal cells in lattice, with pyramid cells bases that interlock at midrib with cell on the other side

shape of a honeycomb

two

number of planar surfaces of a single honeycomb

minimizes construction material, simultaneously, maximizing storage space for honey, pollen, and brood

why is a honeycomb hailed as the perfect geometrical solution

rearing new workers

what are cells used for

5.42mm by 16.87mm

average wall to wall depth of Apis dorsata

2.87mm by 7.53mm

average wall to wall depth of Apis florea

edges of nests

typical locations of drone comb

lower part of the single comb

location of drone comb for dwarf bees

on peripheral combs

location of drone comb for cavity-nesting bees

honey bee nest

a prime example of an extended phenotype

top

location where honey is stored

center

location where brood is grouped

layer of pollen

borders the brood

dance floor

where successful foragers advertise profitable food sources to potential recruits

horizontal surface at the top of the nest

location where communicative dances are performed in dwarf bees

face of the vertical comb

location where giant and cavity-nesting bees dance

atop the curtain of bees that cover the comb

where dances are performed in giant bees

comb closest to the entrance

dance floor location in cavity-nesting bees

dance floor

part of the nest altered specifically to maximize information