Livestock come in many shapes and sizes. One of humankind’s most unique livestock is the Western honeybee, apis mellifera. This insect has interacted with humans for many thousands of years. From Ancient Egypt to the present, people still enjoy honeybees for their role in pollination, for beeswax and for their sweet namesake: honey. There is still a lot that we don’t know about bees, but what we do know is amazing:
Baby bees are identical at birth. The Queen bee is the only one who gets to eat the royal jelly. When fed normal, run-of-the-mill honey and pollen, an egg becomes one of the tens of thousands of workers in the hive. Nurse bees care for the young and must maintain a temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit in the hive to raise a bee from egg to adult.
Honeybees choose their new nests democratically: When a hive becomes too successful and too crowded, some bees leave with a queen in a “swarm.” Swarms can be seen in the early summer on tree branches and fenceposts. As they take a dangerous journey to find a new home, honeybee workers discuss real estate through dance, smell and wing movements. They prefer cavities facing south, of a certain size and with an easily defensible entrance and exit (see Tom Seely, Honeybee Democracy for more about this phenomenon).
Honeybees use their environment for medicine. Propolis is a waxy substance created by bees and used as a sealant in the hive. Holes in trees and man-made beehives are closed tight with this caulk-like material. Made from plants in their environment, Propolis also contains chemicals which act as antibiotic medications for the colony.
Satoyama Homestead will be offering a free “Hive Mind Apiculture and Pollinator Garden Tour” workshop Saturday, May 21 (rain date Sunday, May 22) from 1 to 3 p.m. at 271 Laurel Road in Elverson. You can learn more fantastic facts about honeybees, see a live beehive inspection and learn about backyard beekeeping and how to attract other pollinators to your yard.
Tax deductible in-kind and monetary donations are appreciated. Space is limited. Visit www.satoyamahs.org or call 484-247-GROW (4769) for more information and to register.
