Eggs in the Hive

Reproduction for honey bees must be considered on two levels, at the bee level and at colony level. The colony is a superorganism. Tom Seeley's work has ended in a greater understanding of the latter with the publication of several books.

This subject will be enlarged upon at a later date but if you wish to understand more the general books on Honey Bee anatomy and physiology are a good starting point.

info@scientificbeekeeping.co.uk

Here we have many eggs being laid in a cell. However the eggs are being laid at the back of the cell (as we look at it) so it will probably be from a queen rather than a laying worker. Workers' abdomens are generally too short to lay at the bottom of the cell.

It is likely that this is a virgin queen or recently mated queen who has yet to find her rhythm.

Dave Stokes

Leinster Honey

A Few Photos

An illustration of eggs laid by a laying worker. The eggs have been attached to the wall of the cell.