234 



A SOCIAL INSECT— THE HONEYBEE 



can saw off the limb and carry the swarm to the hive. If the tree is 

 too valuable to be cut, he can shake the bees into a basket and they will 

 remain there until he carries them to the empty hive. A little honey 

 or some sugar syrup will help entice the bees in. However, it is the 

 queen who must make the decision. If she stays so do the bees, but if 

 she decides to look elsewhere all the bees will follow her. 



Courtesy U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, Bureau of Entomology 



Fig. 16.3. A swarm of bees. This huge ball of bees has settled on the limb of a tree 

 with the queen in the center. When placed in front of a fresh, clean hive they will go 



in and establish a colony. 



If the swarm is left in the tree, the bees will send out scouts to look 

 for a new location. When they have found such a spot, a hollow tree 

 in most cases, the whole colony will follow them and establish them- 

 selves there. 



Nuptial Flight 



Back in the old hive a very important event will soon take place, 

 the hatching of the new queen. As soon as the first queen cell gives up 

 its contents, the young virgin will seek out and kill all the other unborn 

 queens. She will then remain around the hive five or six days preparing 

 for her "nuptial flight." When the weather outside is favorable, she 



