What substance do house bees create from nectar?

House bees, which are typically older worker bees, play a crucial role in the production of honey. When these bees collect nectar from flowers, they bring it back to the hive and begin the process of transforming it into honey. This process involves several key steps.

First, house bees chew the nectar, mixing it with enzymes from their saliva. This enzymatic action breaks down the sugars in the nectar, making it less complex. Afterward, the bees deposit this nectar mixture into the hexagonal wax cells of the honeycomb. To reduce the moisture content and help preserve the honey, house bees then fan their wings over the nectar. This ventilation evaporates excess moisture, thickening the nectar into the final product we know as honey.

Honey serves not only as a food source for the bees, particularly during the winter months when flowers are scarce, but it is also a sweetener for humans. The entire process of converting nectar into honey showcases the remarkable abilities of house bees and their essential role within the hive.

The other substances mentioned—propolis, beeswax, and pollen—serve different purposes and are produced through different processes involving various types of bees. Propolis is a resin-like material collected by bees, beeswax is secreted by worker