Well,it works for them
Hard to grouch when we get honey, but I certainly wouldn't want to live in a society like it. 'Crush eggs' indeed.
Bee queens are Notch-blocking their minions, say boffins
Scientists have identified a molecular mechanism that explains how queen bees stop worker bees from laying eggs in order to keep bee society from entering the Apocalypse. Bees are eusocial animals. The different types of bees in a nest can be identified by distinct jobs each bee must perform. Queen bees are in charge of …
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Wednesday 3rd August 2016 14:41 GMT frank ly
Re: Well,it works for them
Your body has mechanisms with similar principles that prevent arms growing on your chest and teeth growing on your fingertips. For bees and other 'hive' insects, it's the entire hive that is the 'organism', not the individual insects.
The queen bee isn't 'in charge' of growing the hive's population, she is the reproductive function of the hive and she performs her function for the long term benefit of the hive organism.
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Wednesday 3rd August 2016 14:39 GMT Anonymous Coward
Don't leave a half-filled COKE can lying around
'Queen bees release queen mandibular pheromone (QMP) to inhibit the fertility of worker bees. DAPT is a protein that switches off the Notch signalling pathway – a biological mechanism that turns the reproductive genes in the worker bees ovaries off.'
I believe Teresa May does the same thing!
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Wednesday 3rd August 2016 15:17 GMT BugabooSue
Human Breeders...
Hmm. Now all we need is a version of QMP to stop some of the human females that spit out 'children' in an attempt to convert all the planet's resources into their spawn so that they don't have to work for a living!
(My next-door neighbour's daughter is a case in point - 'worked' two months as a Trainee Hairdreser ten years ago - was given a flat by the local council after mum pretended to throw her out on her ear when she got pregnant the first time - now about to hatch Child Seven. Council just gave her a 5 bedroom semi-detached house. Upgraded from the 3 bedroom one she got three years ago. Not a bad deal. Must be starting her own hive!)
/rant
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Thursday 4th August 2016 15:09 GMT R.Moore
Re: Pretty sure ...
They forage for nectar (carbs), pollen (protein and trace elements), water and tree sap (aka propolis).
The pollen is there as a protein source to feed the larvae with and is essential for colony growth.
The propolis is used to plug any gaps ready for the colder months and to entomb any foreign object too large to kick out the front door (it has some antiseptic qualities as well).
I've found the occasional propolised mouse mummy in the spring if I haven't put mouse guards on the hives early enough.
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Thursday 4th August 2016 12:38 GMT R.Moore
Drones mate on the wing...
..not in colony nests/hives. They congregate in what are known as drone congregation areas, waiting for a queen to enter and will follow her (drones have large eyes to help with this) and die after mating.
The queen will mate with dozens of males during a single flight and the genetically diverse material she returns with contributes to the strength of the colony.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
