Trivia - bee tongue initially reducing moisture in nectar

[Cindi]

When I first began with beekeeping, one of the first books that I began to read was Mark Winston's (now retired Apiculture Professor of Simon Fraser University) book, "The Biology of the Honey Bee".  This book was so deep for a new beginner in apiculture, but I studied it, and went on to easier books.  I was doing some reading the other day and I found some interesting stuff that I had forgotten about that I would like to share.

In this part of his book he is speaking of "nectar".  When nectar is transferred from the field bee to the house bee, the house bee adds enzymes from her hypopharyngeal glands to this nectar in her crop, specifically, diastase, invertase and glucose oxidase.  These enzymes break down the sugars into simple inverted forms, which are more easily digestible by bees and also protects the stored honey from bacterial attacks.  The nectar is then evaporated on the worker's tongue (she manipulates the nectar for a couple of minutes) and then is it is placed into cells for further evaporation by fanning by house beees.

A worker larvae requires approximately 142 mg of honey for development.

Now isn't that an interesting little diddy of information?  Have a wonderful day, great life, and good health.  Cindi

[AndersMNelson]

That's incredible.  Those little tongues...who would expect it?  I am definitely going to check out that book.

[Bennettoid]

Getting sugar water on my hands while installing a package and having them land and lick it off is always a thrill for me. Those tiny little tongues tickle.

[Cindi]

The Biology of the Honeybee, by Mark Winston was one of the first books (after Beekeeping in Western Canada) that I read.   Now it has been over two years since my involvement with bees.  This book was beyond my entire scope of reasoning two years ago.  Now that I am re-reading it, after some more experience, all the information and research in Mark's book is beginning to make some sense.  It is deep, deep, deep, not one that I would recommend for people that are first learning beekeeping.  Wait until you know the bees a little bit better, then read his work.  Just my 2 cents.  Have a wonderful day, great life, great health.  Cindi