Worker bees are the most important members of a beehive. They perform a variety of tasks, including caring for the young, cleaning the hive, and collecting food. However, one of their most important roles is to care for the queen bee. The queen is the most important bee in the hive, as she is responsible for laying all the eggs that will become new bees. But can worker bees make a queen? Let's take a closer look.
What is a Queen Bee?
A queen bee is the only bee in the hive that is capable of laying eggs. She is larger than the other bees and has a longer abdomen. Her sole purpose is to lay eggs, which can number in the thousands each day. The queen bee is also responsible for producing pheromones that keep the other bees in the hive calm and organized.
How is a Queen Bee Made?
A queen bee is made from a regular worker bee. The process begins when the queen bee starts to slow down or die. The worker bees will notice this and start to prepare for a new queen. They will select several larvae that are no more than three days old and feed them a special diet of royal jelly. This diet triggers a hormonal change in the larvae, causing them to develop into queen bees.
Can Worker Bees Make A Queen Bee?
Worker bees are responsible for feeding the larvae and producing royal jelly. They also construct the queen's cell, which is larger than the cells of regular bees. However, worker bees do not have the ability to lay eggs, so they cannot become a queen bee themselves. They can, however, create a new queen by feeding the larvae a special diet of royal jelly.
Why Do Bees Make a New Queen?
Bees make a new queen when the old queen is getting old or starts to slow down. They may also make a new queen if the hive becomes too crowded and needs to split into two separate hives. The process of making a new queen ensures that the hive will continue to thrive and produce new bees.
Conclusion
Worker bees are an essential part of a beehive and play a crucial role in caring for the queen bee. While they cannot become a queen themselves, they can create a new queen by feeding the larvae a special diet of royal jelly. This process ensures that the hive will continue to thrive and produce new bees for years to come.