Bee

Bee species range from solitary mason bees to eusocial honey bees living in hives of 50,000 workers. Their bodies are covered in branched hairs that trap pollen as they visit flowers for nectar. On a single foraging trip, a worker may pollinate hundreds of blossoms, making bees critical for fruits, vegetables, and wildflowers. Honey bees store nectar in honey stomachs, adding enzymes that transform it into honey back at the hive.

Honey bee colonies are organized around a queen, workers, and drones. The queen lays eggs, while workers clean cells, feed larvae royal jelly or pollen, guard the entrance, and fan wings to cool the hive. Foragers share directions using the waggle dance, tracing figure-eight patterns that convey the angle and distance to rich flower patches relative to the sun. Bumblebees shiver their flight muscles to warm up, enabling them to pollinate in cool, cloudy weather.

Solitary bees build nests in hollow stems, mud tunnels, or sandy soil, provisioning each cell with a pollen loaf for developing larvae. Unlike wasps, most bees are gentle and sting only in defense. Some, like leafcutter bees, cut perfect circles from leaves to line their brood cells. Native bees complement honey bees by pollinating crops during different weather conditions or flower shapes.

Bees face threats from habitat loss, pesticide exposure, parasites such as Varroa mites, and diseases that spread through commercial hives. Neonicotinoid pesticides can impair navigation, leading to colony collapse. Conservation efforts focus on planting diverse wildflower strips, reducing pesticide use, and supporting beekeepers who monitor hive health. Citizen scientists report bee sightings, build bee hotels for solitary species, and participate in community science projects like the Great Sunflower Project.

Students learn about bees by observing hive frames, tasting honey, or designing experiments that test which flower colors attract the most visits. By planting native blooms from spring through fall, leaving bare soil patches, and learning from local beekeepers, communities ensure that bees keep buzzing across fields and gardens.