The worker bee only lives for 5-6 weeks, but they are so busy during this time! In this
short period, they will hold a variety of jobs that all contribute to the productivity of the hive.
After hatching, these insects will first be hive cleaners. They work to clear out their cell to make room for a new egg, as well as carrying out dead bees and dirt to make sure the hive is nice and tidy.
They then become nurse bees, helping to feed the larva and take care of the queen. While taking care of the queen, they become “attendants” and help to feed and clean her while she lays eggs. When they do this, they send out a special pheromone scent to alert the other workers that their queen is healthy.
After that, they become pollen packers, where their job is to neatly pack pollen into cells. They also work as wax masons, crafting the wax from the glands in their abdomen. They also contribute to temperature control in the hive, as well as collecting and storing water.
Soon after, these bees will become guards, where they sit at the entrance of the hive to watch for intruders or possible threats. If they see any, they will send out a pheromone scent to the rest of the hive to warn them.
At the end of their life, the workers will go out and forage for pollen and nectar, as well as turning the nectar into honey. When they make honey, they will use their long, straw-like tongue to suck up nectar into their honey stomach. In there, it will mix with a special enzyme and water. Once flown back to the hive, the bee will load this mixture into the honeycomb, then flutter their wings hard to dehydrate the honey down to the sticky substance that is honey!
