Honeybee Behaviour
Honeybees exhibit some of the most complex and fascinating behaviours found in the insect world. As social insects, they live in highly structured colonies where each individual bee has specific roles and responsibilities. This division of labour and communication is key to the survival and productivity of the hive.
One of the most well-known behaviours is the waggle dance, a unique method of communication used by forager bees to share information about food sources. Through a series of movements, the bee indicates the direction and distance of nectar or pollen in relation to the sun’s position. This behaviour showcases an extraordinary level of spatial awareness and cooperative intelligence.
Division of labour is age-based in honeybees. Young worker bees typically start their lives performing tasks inside the hive, such as cleaning cells, feeding larvae, and producing wax. As they age, their duties shift to guarding the entrance and eventually foraging for nectar, pollen, water, and propolis. This progression is known as age polyethism.
Defensive behaviour is also critical in honeybee colonies. Worker bees are equipped with a barbed stinger and will defend their hive from intruders, including animals and humans. They release an alarm pheromone when they sting, alerting other bees to the threat. While this helps protect the hive, the stinging bee will die shortly after due to the stinger becoming lodged in the target.
Swarming is another natural behaviour, representing the colony’s method of reproduction. When a hive becomes overcrowded, the queen and about half the worker bees will leave to form a new colony. A new queen is reared by the remaining bees. Though swarming may seem chaotic, it is a highly coordinated event that ensures the survival and expansion of honeybee populations. For tips on managing this, see Hive Management.
Honeybees are also known for their temperature regulation abilities. They work together to keep the hive at a stable temperature of around 35°C (95°F), essential for brood development. In hot weather, bees will fan their wings at the hive entrance to circulate air, and in colder months, they form a cluster and vibrate their wing muscles to generate heat.
Foraging behaviour is remarkably efficient. Bees can remember flower locations and even prefer flowers that offer the highest reward. They use visual cues and floral scents to find and distinguish between plant species. A single forager may visit hundreds of flowers on a single trip, collecting nectar and pollen with extraordinary speed and precision. Learn more in Pollination.
Finally, honeybees display hygienic behaviour, an evolutionary trait that helps prevent disease. Some bees are genetically predisposed to detect and remove diseased or dead brood from the hive, helping maintain colony health. This behaviour is especially important in the fight against pests like the varroa mite and diseases such as foulbrood. For more information, visit Varroa Managementand Diseases and Pests.
The behavioural complexity of honeybees is a testament to their evolutionary success. Every action—whether it be guarding the hive, gathering food, or communicating—is part of a greater system that allows the colony to function as a single, unified superorganism.