Atlas of Habitats

colony

0.001 m³

at 0.5 m

48.2ºN

[buzzing] hive

mixed

colonizing

smooth

invertebrates

[buzzing] hive

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Introduction

Austria
Handelskai
48.2566 N, 16.3723 E
27/05/2024, 3:40 pm

Honey bees are essential pollinators that can be found across many ecosystems. They live in colonies consisting of one queen, worker bees, and drones, all working together to build and maintain their hive. In recent years, human-made wooden structures have become vital towards offering bees an environment that mimics their natural habitats. These habitats provide a safe space for honey bees to build their colonies and create conditions that promote optimal living and productivity.

Micro Climate

The wooden structure provides natural insulation, while the bees themselves generate heat through muscle movement, or use fanning behaviors to cool the hive during hot weather. The beeswax comb is durable and flexible, but the temperature and humidity must be kept within a specific range to prevent the wax from softening or becoming brittle. The bees’ constant activity, combined with the insulating properties of the wax, helps protect the hive from extreme changes in the external environment.

Material

The primary material used by honey bees to construct their habitat is beeswax. Worker bees secrete flakes of wax from their glands and then chew it to soften and shape it. This wax is then used to build the hexagonal cells where the bees store honey, pollen and larvae. Beeswax is lightweight yet incredibly strong. Its flexibility allows it to be molded into intricate patterns that make optimal use of the available space. The beeswax cells are also waterproof and airtight, which helps protect their contents from external factors, such as moisture and fluctuating temperatures.

Location

Construction

In natural settings, bees create hives within hollow trees or cavities, so human-made wooden structures aim to mimic this type of environment using stacked boxes that allow for easy colony management and honey extraction. These boxes contain frames where bees can build their honeycombs. The combs are created in layers and their cells serve dual purposes: some are used for storing honey and pollen, while others are designated for raising brood. After the honey is deposited in the cells, bees cap it with a thin layer of wax to preserve it.