Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Pollen Intake
Pollen Consumption
Figure 5.1.
Honey bee colonies regulate pollen. It is stored close to the brood
where nurse bees access the stored pollen, consume it, and convert it into
proteinaceous glandular secretions fed to developing larvae. Pollen foragers
assess the quantity of stored pollen and the pollen need, indicated by
pheromones produced by the larvae, and bias their foraging trips accordingly for
pollen (protein) and nectar (carbohydrate). Successful foragers perform
recruitment dances based on their perception of the quality of the pollen and
recruit additional pollen foragers.
Honey
Pollen
Brood
Figure 5.2.
h e or gan i za tion al pattern of stored pollen. Mea sure ments were
made of the area of stored pollen on combs such as this by placing a grid over
the comb and counting the number of grid squares that had pollen under
them.
