Managing The Colony Labor Pool

The Primer Pheromones, Part 4 – Reproduction and Survival

First published in: American Bee Journal July 2010

The Primer Pheromones, Part 4—Reproduction and Survival Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First published in American Bee Journal July 2010 Queen Pheromone(s) We humans hear the term “queen” and immediately project all the royal attributes of leadership and omnipotence upon the mother of the colony. But is this really the case? Does the queen bee really “rule” […]

The Primer Pheromones and Managing the Labor Pool – Part 3

First published in: American Bee Journal June 2010

The Primer Pheromones and Managing the Labor Pool Part 3 Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First published in American Bee Journal June 2010 I left you last month in the middle of explaining the current model for colony workforce allocation, and the influence of various primer pheromones. Please allow me to pick up where I left off. […]

The Primer Pheromones and Managing the Labor Pool – Part 2

First published in: American Bee Journal May 2010

The Primer Pheromones and Managing the Labor Pool Part 2 Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First published in American Bee Journal May 2010 In the first part of this article, I explained how the allotment of the hive labor pool was largely controlled through communication via the process of sharing protein-rich jelly via trophallaxis, plus non-feeding interchange […]

The Primer Pheromones and Managing the Labor Pool – Part 1

First published in: American Bee Journal April 2010

We humans tend to anthropomorphize animal behavior, which is often just plain silly. The most caring, gentle, nurturing beekeeper can pamper a hive to no end, yet will still have her friendship rewarded with a volley of stings to the face should she move a bit too quickly.

An Adaptable Workforce

First published in: American Bee Journal March 2010

An Adaptable Workforce Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First published in American Bee Journal March 2010 I’d like to return to the analogy of the honey bee colony as being similar to a medium-sized mammal. The combs are analogous to the skeleton, the queen to the ovary, drones to sperms, honey to body fat, and the workers […]

The Economy of the Hive – Part 2

First published in: American Bee Journal February 2010

The Economy of the Hive—Part 2 Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First published in American Bee Journal February 2010 Last month I described the functions of the main players in the hive economy—the queen, the nurse bees, the foragers, and the “resting” bees. Now let’s look at the main driver for the bee economy—the supply of food. […]

The Economy of the Hive – Part 1

First published in: American Bee Journal January 2010

The Economy of the Hive, Part 1 Randy Oliver ScientificBeekeeping.com First published in American Bee Journal January 2010 Inside the hive there functions a vibrant community, with an economy similar to that of any other society. The bee economy is based upon the harvesting and processing of resources, the trade of products, doting care for […]