The life of the The life of the bees in the bees in the

hiveshives

egg

larvea

chrisalis

The beesThe bees

Adult

This is the life cycle page. This is the life cycle page. A bee is like a butterfly A bee is like a butterfly because it goes though because it goes though several stages in its life. several stages in its life. Keep reading to find out Keep reading to find out about a bee’s life.about a bee’s life.

The eggsThe eggsIf the queen lays a fertilized egg, it gives birth to a worker If the queen lays a fertilized egg, it gives birth to a worker or a queen. By cons, a unfertilized egg will give birth to a or a queen. By cons, a unfertilized egg will give birth to a

drone.drone.The egg is white, cylindrical, elongated and slightly The egg is white, cylindrical, elongated and slightly

curved. At the time of spawning, egg queen fixed at one curved. At the time of spawning, egg queen fixed at one end to the bottom of the cell. The egg seems to be end to the bottom of the cell. The egg seems to be

standing in the cell. Then for 3 days (on average), the egg standing in the cell. Then for 3 days (on average), the egg grows and eventually bowed to lie at the bottom of the grows and eventually bowed to lie at the bottom of the

cell.cell.After 3 days, the egg hatches by dissolving the After 3 days, the egg hatches by dissolving the

membrane. It then becomes a larva.membrane. It then becomes a larva.An egg is between 1.3 and 1.8 mm long, 0.5 mm wide An egg is between 1.3 and 1.8 mm long, 0.5 mm wide

and weighs between 0.12 and 0.22 mg.and weighs between 0.12 and 0.22 mg.Development time, size and weight are the basis of race, Development time, size and weight are the basis of race,

lineage, and even climatic conditions.lineage, and even climatic conditions.

the larvaethe larvaeThe larva has the form of a small worm, The larva has the form of a small worm,

consisting almost exclusively of a digestive consisting almost exclusively of a digestive tracttract

As the larva increases(grows), it was moved on As the larva increases(grows), it was moved on 5 occasions. She(it) wins a great deal of 5 occasions. She(it) wins a great deal of

weight: 900 times for the worker, either 140 weight: 900 times for the worker, either 140 mg in the operculation 1700 times for the mg in the operculation 1700 times for the queen, or 250 mg in the operculation 2300 queen, or 250 mg in the operculation 2300

times for the male, or 346 mg in the times for the male, or 346 mg in the operculation The worker grows from 2,7 to 17 operculation The worker grows from 2,7 to 17

mm and the queen of 4,2 in 16,5mm. In the 9th mm and the queen of 4,2 in 16,5mm. In the 9th day, the alveolus is operculée by a small wax day, the alveolus is operculée by a small wax

cork. The last days of the embryonic cork. The last days of the embryonic stage(stadium) are dedicated to the stage(stadium) are dedicated to the

construction of a cocoon. The duration of the construction of a cocoon. The duration of the embryonic stage(stadium) varies according to embryonic stage(stadium) varies according to

the caste: queen, worker or drone.the caste: queen, worker or drone.

The chrysalis The chrysalis The pupal stage(stadium) is the last stage(stadium) with The pupal stage(stadium) is the last stage(stadium) with

that of the trained(formed adult or imago. At this that of the trained(formed adult or imago. At this stage(stadium), the head, the eyes, the antennas, the oral stage(stadium), the head, the eyes, the antennas, the oral rooms(parts,plays), the thorax, the legs and the belly have rooms(parts,plays), the thorax, the legs and the belly have

the characteristics of those of the adult. The cuticle the characteristics of those of the adult. The cuticle becomes more and more darkened; his(her,its) color is becomes more and more darkened; his(her,its) color is

used to determine the age of a chrysalis. Inside the used to determine the age of a chrysalis. Inside the chrysalis, muscles and organs are transformed. Then a last chrysalis, muscles and organs are transformed. Then a last metamorphosis(slough) intervenes. It will be necessary a metamorphosis(slough) intervenes. It will be necessary a few hours so that the new cuticle dries. Then the image few hours so that the new cuticle dries. Then the image

drills the opercule of wax with its mandibles. After his(her) drills the opercule of wax with its mandibles. After his(her) exit(release) of the alveolus, the adult spreads(displays) exit(release) of the alveolus, the adult spreads(displays)

his(her) wings and his(her) antennas, lets dry his(her) hairs his(her) wings and his(her) antennas, lets dry his(her) hairs and then begins his(her) activities. The imago Hardly born, and then begins his(her) activities. The imago Hardly born, the bee is still soft and will be needed from 12 to 24 hours the bee is still soft and will be needed from 12 to 24 hours

so that the cuticleso that the cuticle

The imago The imago Hardly born, the bee is still soft and will be needed from 12 Hardly born, the bee is still soft and will be needed from 12 to 24 hours so that the outside cuticle dries. As long as the to 24 hours so that the outside cuticle dries. As long as the exosquelette around vulnérantes glands is not hardened, exosquelette around vulnérantes glands is not hardened,

the young bee cannot prick(fall). the young bee cannot prick(fall). In 8 in 10 days following the birth, the internal In 8 in 10 days following the birth, the internal

development (in particular glands) continues. The queens development (in particular glands) continues. The queens and the drones pursue as for them the development of and the drones pursue as for them the development of

their reproductive organs. their reproductive organs. In the emergence, the middleweight is of: In the emergence, the middleweight is of:

81 - 151 mg for the worker 196 in 225 mg for the drone 81 - 151 mg for the worker 196 in 225 mg for the drone 178 in 292 mg for the queen 178 in 292 mg for the queen

The developemen of a worker bee The developemen of a worker bee It is necessary 21 days so that an egg of bee is transformed It is necessary 21 days so that an egg of bee is transformed

into worker: 3 days: stage(stadium) of the egg 10 days: into worker: 3 days: stage(stadium) of the egg 10 days: embryonic stage(stadium) 8 days: stage(stadium) of embryonic stage(stadium) 8 days: stage(stadium) of

nymph During the first 8 days, the egg is visible at the nymph During the first 8 days, the egg is visible at the bottom of the cell(unit). From the 9th day, the cell(unit) is bottom of the cell(unit). From the 9th day, the cell(unit) is

operculée (closed) by the workers further to the production operculée (closed) by the workers further to the production of a specific pheromone by the larva. During her of a specific pheromone by the larva. During her

development, the worker in future is fed only during 3 days development, the worker in future is fed only during 3 days in the royal jelly. in the royal jelly.

Sources :Sources :

Sites : Sites : http://apiculture-populaire.com/couvain.htmlhttp://apiculture-populaire.com/couvain.htmlhttp://http://www.catoire-fantasque.be/animaux/abeille/developpement.html#pupewww.catoire-fantasque.be/animaux/abeille/developpement.html#pupe

Jean-Paul Delatte and Alex Jean-Paul Delatte and Alex LaurentLaurent