EXPLORING THE BEE INDUSTRY

H S‐LS2‐8. Evaluate the evidence for the role of group behavior on individual and species’ chances to survive and reproduce. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on: (1) distinguishing between group and individual behavior, (2) identifying evidence supporting the outcomes of group behavior, and (3) developing logical and reasonable arguments based on evidence. Examples of group behaviors could include flock-ing, schooling, herding, and cooperative behaviors such as hunting, migrating, and swarming.]

NEXT GENERATION SCIENCE/COMMON CORE STANDARDS ADDRESSED!

ABS.04.02. Develop production and operational plans for an AFNR business.

ABS.04.02.02.b. Identify and assess alternative production systems for a specific agricultural product.

AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND NATURAL RESOURCE STANDARDS ADDRESSED!

List general bee and honey facts.

Identify bee and honey term definitions.

Describe where to locate an apiary and where to get bees.

Discuss hive management.

BELL WORK!

ApiaryBee eggsBee waxBroodCastsDronesExtractor

ForagingFoul broodHiveHoneyHoneycombMeadQueen bee

TERMS

Bring in honey products like wax, honey, an old hive, or any other product you have access to and display them on a table.

Start a discussion with students about each product. If possible invite a “bee keeper” to visit the classroom.

INTEREST APPROACH

WHAT ARE SOME INTERESTING FACTS RELATED TO BEES AND

HONEY PRODUCTION?Bees can fly 15

miles per hour.Honey consist of

80% sugar & 20% water.

Central brood nest, bees maintain 92 – 93 degrees Fahrenheit, no matter outside temperature.

WHAT ARE SOME INTERESTING FACTS RELATED TO BEES AND

HONEY PRODUCTION?One pound of beeswax

requires bees to produce 17 – 20 pounds of honey.

The term honeymoon describing newlyweds originated because of the Norse tradition of consuming large amounts of mead during the first month of marriage.

Mead Fermented honey and the most

ancient known fermented beverage.

Queen bee has lifespan of 3 to 4 years.She can lay 2,500 eggs each day.Daily egg production can even equal the

weight of the queen bee.One colony can contain up to 60,000 bees

during peak pollination time.Bees can normally fly 1 to 2 miles to obtain

food.Brain of the worker bee is the densest

neuropile tissue of any known animal

WHAT ARE SOME INTERESTING FACTS RELATED TO BEES AND

HONEY PRODUCTION?

IDENTIFY BEE AND HONEY TERM DEFINITIONS.

WHAT ARE DEFINITIONS FOR BEE AND HONEY TERMS?

ApiaryWhere a hive or group of hives is managed.

BroodThe eggs and larvae of the hive.

CastsSmall swarms that come from a hive after the main swarm.

WHAT ARE DEFINITIONS FOR BEE AND HONEY TERMS?

DronesMale bees that mate with virgin queens.

Much bigger than worker bees.

Bee eggsLaid in a brood cell and will emerge 16 – 24 days later.

HiveThe bee’s home.

WHAT ARE DEFINITIONS FOR BEE AND HONEY TERMS?

ExtractorBarrel-like machine used to extract honey from its comb.

ForagingWorkers that leave the hive to collect pollen, water, and nectar.

Foul broodMost serious of all bee diseases.

WHAT ARE DEFINITIONS FOR BEE AND HONEY TERMS?

Honey Product produced by

bees from nectar and is stored and used for food.

Excess is not used by the bees and harvested by the beekeeper.

Bee wax Secreted by the worker

bees from their wax glands in order to build the honey comb.

WHAT ARE DEFINITIONS FOR BEE AND HONEY TERMS?

Honeycomb Consists of hexagonal

cells built up on the side of a central vertical wall.

Used to store the honey.

Queen bee Mother of the hive and

lays eggs. Does not leave the hive

unless she decides to swarm.

DESCRIBE WHERE TO LOCATE AN APIARY

AND WHERE TO GET BEES.

Orchards are wonderful places because:Provide shelter from sun & wind.

Provide immediate accessibility to pollen & nectar.

If in country:Provide shade in hottest part of day.

If in populated area:Place bees away from neighbors.

WHERE SHOULD I LOCATE AN APIARY?

Place main hive entrance so it is free of obstructions.Bees get angry if line of flight or main entrance gets blocked.Since bees travel for nectar providing them with enough is

not a concern.

WHERE SHOULD I LOCATE AN APIARY?

WHERE SHOULD I GET MY BEES?

WHERE SHOULD I GET MY BEES?

Buy bees that are free from disease.

You can buy just the bees or with all the equipment included.

Buy or obtain swarms.

Even buy bees by the pound.

DISCUSS HIVE MANAGEMENT.

A. Be familiar with pesticides used in area that could affect honey or bees.

B. Limit swarming of bees by giving all bees enough space in the hive.

C. Keep harvested honey away from the bees so they cannot steal it back.

D. Place hives in an area protected by prevailing winds.

E. Make sure no local regulations prevent from having bees.

WHAT ARE SOME GOOD PRACTICES TO FOLLOW WHEN

MANAGING HIVES?

F. Always purchase bees from reputable bee sources.

G. Replace the queen bee every two years.H. Have bees inspected once a year and

before you buy or sell any.I. If you don’t want bees to return to a

former site, move them at least 5 miles away from original site.

J. Make sure there is a market for your honey before you make bunch.

WHAT ARE SOME GOOD PRACTICES TO FOLLOW WHEN

MANAGING HIVES?

What are some interesting facts related to bees and honey production?

What are definitions for bee and honey terms?

Where should I locate an apiary?Where should I get my bees?What are some good practices to follow when managing hives?

REVIEW

THE END!