rój

Rój is a Czech word that translates to "swarm" in English. It is most commonly used to describe a group of flying insects, such as bees, wasps, or locusts, that gather and move together. The term can also be applied to other collective movements of animals.

In the context of beekeeping, a "rój" specifically refers to a swarm of honeybees leaving their original hive to establish a new colony. This natural phenomenon occurs when a hive becomes overcrowded or when the queen bee is old and about to be replaced. The old queen will depart with a significant portion of the worker bees to find a new home. Observing and managing swarms is a crucial aspect of beekeeping, as it can be an opportunity to collect new colonies or to prevent swarms from forming.

Beyond insects, "rój" can also describe a dense gathering of other creatures. For instance, it might be used to depict a school of fish or a flock of birds moving in unison. The word evokes an image of a large number of individuals acting as a single unit, often in a dynamic and mobile way. The specific context usually clarifies which type of group is being referred to.