Module 2 – Bee Anatomy (UB)

Class Discussion

Build on your knowledge of bees and bee anatomy to understand hive management. Discuss what you already know about bee behaviour and anatomy. Then watch the video below:

• Bee bits video

Activity

Briefly describe each anatomical structure and its function: Head/Eyes; Antenna; Brain; Tongue and Crop; Wings; Spiracles; Abdomen; Legs-Pollen Basket; Sting System.

Class Discussion

Investigate the types of bees in the hive and how each bee has a specific role to play. Discuss what you already know about bee behaviour. Then watch the video below.

• “How do Honey Bees Get Their Jobs”? 

Activity

As a group, choose one of the following bees in a colony;

• The Queen
• A drone
• A worker

Conduct research as a group, writing your notes in the area below.

At the end of the activity, each group shares their findings about different bees within the colony.

Class Discussion

The honey making process starts with bees making the cells in the hive to store the nectar.

Bees then work together, some preparing the hive cells while drones fly around in the search of floral fields or fruitful trees. Bees search for nectar to collect and take back to the hive. Nectar is the floral extract that is sucked by the bees and carried back to the bee hives.

Bees fan their wings to monitor the temperature in the closed hive. This action helps floral nectar to evaporate excess water and hence increasing heat inside gradually turn’s nectar into honey.

Activity

Conduct research into how honey is made. Then print, complete and upload the PDF below.

• How do bees make honey?