honeycomb

A honeycomb is a mass of hexagonal wax cells built by worker honey bees inside a beehive. The cells are used to rear brood and to store honey and pollen. Honeycomb is formed from beeswax secreted by the bees’ abdominal glands; workers chew and mold the wax walls into the familiar hexagonal grid.

The hexagonal geometry is efficient: hexagons tile a plane with minimal material while providing high storage capacity and strength. This shape reduces the amount of wax bees must produce and helps support the hive’s weight. In natural hives, comb is arranged in vertical sheets or frames, with brood cells typically located toward the center and food storage toward the edges. The comb is a living structure, continually repaired and rebuilt as the colony grows.

Bees construct comb in stages, starting from starter cells along the frame or natural surfaces. Brood cells are usually capped with wax during pupation. In managed beekeeping, foundation sheets embossed with a hexagonal pattern may guide comb-building and help maintain uniformity.

In human use, honeycomb refers to comb with honey still in the cells or comb honey sold as a delicacy. Beeswax from honeycomb is harvested for candles, cosmetics, and various industrial applications. The concept of the honeycomb has also influenced engineering and design as an example of efficient tessellation and structural efficiency.