Insect Enemies and Allies 



215 



the colony. The whole time required for the develop- 

 ment from egg to adult is twenty-one days for a worker, 

 twenty-four days for a drone (male bee) , and but sixteen 

 days for a queen (Fig. 167). 



Within the hive there are many different duties to be The work 

 performed. Nurse bees must care for the larvae. In ^oh 

 hot weather some of the bees fan with their wings for 

 ventilation. If it is cold the bees all cluster in a com- 

 pact ball in one part of the hive, and by vigorous muscular 

 exercise of legs, wings, and abdomens, keep themselves 

 warm. They are thus able to raise the temperature within 

 the hive many degrees above that of the outside air. 



Honey is made from the nectar of flowers, which is Materials 

 taken into the " honey stomach " and rapidly changed 

 from nectar to honey during the homeward flight. Wax 

 for the comb exudes from the body of the bee while 

 it stands at rest in the hive, somewhat as perspiration 

 exudes from one's skin, or saliva from the glands of the 

 mouth. The cement, called " propolis," with which 

 the bee seals up cracks in the hive, is gum gathered 

 mostly from the buds of trees. 



that bees 

 use 



A. I. Root Co 



FIG. 167. A drone, a queen, and a worker bee (left to right). 



