Why & How Are Beehives Formed?

Recent beehive formation at the Hyderabad Farming Collective.

Our forest-friendly collectives are grounds for innovative farming methodologies and sites for biodiversity sightings. At the Hyderabad Farming Collective, we recently got the chance to see a bee hive forming at the estate. However, the honey bee colony that gathered on the tree branches in our tree nursery did not stay around for very long. It was perhaps a moment captured in the process of their nest selection or the demise of the Queen bee that led to the dispersal of the hive. The appearance (and disappearance) of the beehive made us wonder about they collective behaviour of honey bees, why they come together and how they make a home in the wild world.

Nests of Honey

Honeybee hives are the nests or homes of honeybees, which are social insects that live in highly organized and cooperative groups. The hive is constructed using beeswax, which the bees produce from glands on their abdomen, and it serves as a shelter for the colony, as well as a place to store honey, pollen, and brood. The hive is divided into various sections, each with its own purpose and designated to be occupied by different members of the colony. For example, the queen bee resides in a separate area called the “queen cell,” while the worker bees attend to the daily tasks of foraging, collecting nectar and pollen, caring for the young, and maintaining the hive’s cleanliness. The organization and functioning of a honeybee hive is a remarkable example of social behavior in the animal kingdom.

Why Are Beehives Formed?

Beehives are formed by honeybees as a means of providing a safe and organized living space for their colony. Honeybees are social insects that live in large groups, and the hive serves as a central location for them to carry out their daily activities, including gathering nectar and pollen, caring for the young, and producing honey. The hive is also important for protecting the colony from predators and harsh weather conditions, as well as providing a place for the queen bee to lay her eggs. Honeybees are highly organized and work together to construct and maintain the hive, which is made of beeswax and consists of various sections with specific purposes. In summary, beehives are formed by honeybees as a way of creating a secure and functional environment for their colony to thrive.

Ecological Significance of Bees

Bees and beehives play an essential ecological role in pollination and maintaining the biodiversity of ecosystems.

Pollination is the transfer of pollen from the male to the female part of a flower, which results in the fertilization and production of seeds. Besides butterflies and moths, Bees are one of the most important pollinators, and they contribute to the reproduction of over 85% of flowering plants and 75% of global food crops. This makes bees crucial for maintaining the genetic diversity of plant populations and ensuring food security for humans and other animals.

Beehives also serve as a habitat for many other species, including mites, beetles, and other insects, which contribute to the overall health and biodiversity of ecosystems. Additionally, honeybees are important indicators of environmental health, as they are highly sensitive to changes in the environment, such as pollution and climate change.

In summary, bees and beehives play a vital role in maintaining the health and biodiversity of ecosystems by contributing to pollination, providing habitat for other species, and serving as indicators of environmental health.

Types of Bees in a Beehive

Queen Bee: The queen bee is the largest bee in the colony and is responsible for laying eggs. She is the only bee in the hive capable of reproducing and can lay up to 2,000 eggs per day during the peak season.

Worker Bees: Worker bees are the smallest bees in the hive and make up the majority of the colony. They are responsible for a variety of tasks, including caring for the young, foraging for food, and maintaining the hive. Worker bees are female and are not capable of laying eggs.

Drone Bees: Drone bees are larger than worker bees and are male. They have no stingers and do not collect food or pollen. Their primary purpose is to mate with the queen bee. The drone bees typically die shortly after mating or are expelled from the hive at the end of the breeding season.

Each type of bee has a specific role within the hive and works together to ensure the survival and success of the colony.

Selection of the Beehive Site

Bees select a site for a hive based on several factors, including:

Bees prefer a location that is easily accessible for foraging flights to nearby sources of nectar and pollen. The location also needs to provide shelter to the hive from harsh weather conditions such as wind, rain, and extreme temperatures. Security from predators is another major factor in nest selection. Orientation of the site matters too. Bees prefer a site that is south-facing, as it allows the hive to receive maximum sunlight and warmth. And last but not the least, bees need sufficient space for the colony to grow and expand, with room for brood rearing, honey storage, and movement of the bees.

Once bees have identified a suitable location for a hive, they will begin the process of building the hive and establishing the colony. Swarm clusters may also form around objects that bees deem suitable, and then scout bees will be sent out to search for the best possible nesting location. The scout bees will evaluate potential sites and return to the swarm to communicate their findings through a waggle dance. This allows the swarm to reach a consensus on the best location for the hive.

We are yet to analyse the reason behind the disappearance of the honey beehive from the Hyderabad Collective and may come to a conclusion soon after consultation from apiculturists.

Threats to Bees and Beehives

Habitat loss: As natural habitats are destroyed, bees lose their food sources and nesting sites. This can lead to a decline in bee populations and threaten the pollination of crops and other plants.

Pesticides: The use of pesticides can have a toxic effect on bees and their ability to forage, navigate, and reproduce. Pesticides can also contaminate the bees’ food sources, such as nectar and pollen.

Climate change: Climate change can impact the availability of flowering plants and disrupt the timing of bee emergence and reproduction. It can also lead to changes in weather patterns, which can affect the bees’ ability to forage and survive.

Parasites & diseases: Bees can be susceptible to various parasites and diseases, such as varroa mites and colony collapse disorder, which can cause significant declines in bee populations.

Human intervention: Human activities such as the destruction of habitats, excessive honey harvesting, and the use of non-native species can have negative impacts on bee populations.

These threats can have severe consequences for bees and their role in pollination and ecosystem health. It is essential to take measures to protect bees and their habitats, such as reducing pesticide use, creating pollinator-friendly habitats, and supporting sustainable beekeeping practices.

We at Beforest are in constant talks with experts to bring apiculture to our farming collectives. The sighting of a beehive at the Hyderabad Farming Collective indicates that there’s potential for apiculture and beekeeping in our food forest, are we are working on finding sustainable ways of implementing it.