yhteiskuntamehiläispesän

Yhteiskuntamehiläispesä refers to the organized colony structure of social bees, most notably honey bees and bumblebees. This structure is characterized by a division of labor among the individuals, ensuring the survival and reproduction of the colony as a whole. At the heart of the colony is the queen bee, whose primary role is reproduction. She is typically the only fertile female in the colony and lays all the eggs.

The vast majority of the colony consists of sterile female worker bees. These workers perform a variety of tasks essential for the colony's well-being, which change as they age. Younger workers, often called nurse bees, tend to the brood (eggs and larvae), feed the queen, and clean the hive. Older workers transition to foraging roles, collecting nectar, pollen, water, and propolis from the environment. They also act as guards, defending the nest from intruders, and manage the hive's temperature.

In some species, like honey bees, male bees called drones are present for a specific period. Their sole purpose is to mate with a new queen, after which they typically die. Drones do not contribute to the daily tasks of the colony. The cooperation and specialized roles within the yhteiskuntamehiläispesä are crucial for efficient resource gathering, defense, and raising young, demonstrating a highly evolved form of social organization in the insect world.