Festooning Bees

The situation where bees hang in layers between the frames it’s called “festooning”. A festoon is the lace of bees that hangs between the frames. Sometimes the pattern is as wide and deep as the frame itself. This is noticeable if you separate the frames slowly. You can see the bees stretching between the frames, and when you separate the frames fully, they will let go.

Beekeepers often study this event and are trying to explain it. Some of them say that the structure acts as a scaffolding from which bees build combs. Others say that doing so, bees are measuring the distance between the frames. Moreover, some say that “festooning” is the only way in which bees can produce beeswax.

Scientists, on the other hand, are more hesitant about the true function of the festoon. They say that this is a situation that is completely unknown and unexplainable. This is because the researchers found that bees in the same age are producing the same amount of beeswax, not depending on whether they are in a festoon or not. They also discovered that half of the new wax produced in a beehive is from the “festooning” bees, and the other half was produced by the other bees. Even more, in the winter, all the beeswax is coming from the other bees, which are not festooning.

Another interesting thing about bees is that they have different jobs according to their age.

All honey bees are exceptional creatures. But, worker honey bees are especially marvelous for many reasons. Worker honey bees are special because they have different jobs according to their age.

The female worker honey bees could have been queens as well. The only thing that is stopping them from this is their diet during their development as larvae. Their older sisters are feeding them differently, thus being the only boundary that is isolating them from royalty. So, because of this, instead of living a long life and laying eggs, the worker honey bees are designated to work all life – it lasting only a few weeks. Learn more here.