Question 1: Today, we celebrate bees. Which statement about these insects is true?
- Only female bees can sting
- All bees produce honey
- Bees have four legs
Answer: Only female bees can sting
Fact: Male bees, called drones, lack stingers entirely. Only female worker bees have stingers, and they typically use them only to defend the hive. When a honey bee is out foraging, her sole focus is gathering nectar, not causing harm. So the next time one buzzes past you, keep in mind: she’s a diligent female, hard at work and doing much more than just making honey.
Question 2: What is the honey bee secretion that nourishes the larvae?
- Royal jelly
- Royal pudding
- Royal icing
Answer: Royal jelly
Fact: Royal jelly is a nutrient-dense substance produced by worker bees to nourish larvae. It plays a crucial role in transforming a regular bee into a queen by stimulating the development of reproductive organs, including the ovaries needed for egg-laying. Rich in proteins, vitamins, and fatty acids, it serves as a superfood within the hive. Only queen bees consume it throughout their lives, supporting their growth and sustained development.
Question 3: Honey has been used in medicinal ways. What is one reason why?
- It provides the sticky part of adhesive bandages
- It prevents headaches
- It has antibacterial properties
Answer: It has antibacterial properties
Fact: When bees expel nectar that later becomes honey, their internal enzymes break it down into a substance containing small amounts of hydrogen peroxide. Since hydrogen peroxide can kill bacteria on contact, honey was used as an antibiotic in ancient times. Physicians would apply it to wounds to help prevent infection.