Almost all insects contribute in some way to the greater ecosystem. If you take your children for a walk outdoors on a warm day, you are bound to notice a variety of bugs going about their business. All of these small critters important jobs to perform. Some are pollinators that play a crucial role in many of the foods people consume, like fruits, vegetables, chocolate, nuts, and coffee. Others are responsible for eating smaller pesky bugs that destroy crops and cause lots of other destruction. Here are some facts about bees that kids will find interesting.
Facts About Bees for Kids
The reality is that bees are not really interested in you (unless you are eating something sweet and sticky), so it's best to just move along and leave them alone. Swatting at bees or squashing them with a shoe may seem like a good idea. Most of the time, we don't pay attention to the important work being done by butterflies, spiders, caterpillars, centipedes, or any of the other critters. But when a bee is buzzing around, it's natural to feel a little nervous about the threat of a sting. But if your kids truly understand the magical work these buzzy insects do, they will think twice next time. Read some children's books about bees that will enlighten little ones about all the wonderful ways they contribute to the environment.
(1) Honeybees are divided into three different working classes.
The first is the Queen, who is the one holding all the power in a particular bee hive. As the sole reproducer for her hive, the eggs she lays guarantees the survival of future generations. She typically lives about 5 years and lays around 2,500 eggs per day during the summer months.
The second class of bees are the Workers, which represent an all-female group with huge responsibilities for the upkeep and protection of the hive. They are the only ones to leave the hive to forage for nectar and pollen, necessary nutrition for all the bees in the hive. Workers guard the hive dangerous invaders and keep it clean by flapping their wings to circulate the air.
The third and lowest ranking members of the hive are the Drones. These male bees have one purpose only- to mate with the queen. Hundreds of male bees live in the hives during the spring and summer months, but they are tossed out when winter arrives.
(2) There is a process for transferring power to a new queen bee.
When the queen bee dies, there is an established protocol that all honeybees follow in appointing a new leader. Of all the babies in the hive, one larva is selected as the chosen one. From there, the bees feed the larvae a food commonly referred to as the "royal jelly" in order to make her fertile. It is not until then that all power, respect and honor is bestowed upon her Royal Highness.
(3) Bees have big personalities.
They may look exactly alike, but don't be fooled by their exterior. Researchers have found a wide array of behaviors among bees, suggesting that they are not just a bunch of interchangeable insects. Just like humans, some bees are very hard workers while others demonstrate signs of laziness. There have also been some interesting observations indicating some bees are reserved and timid while other bees desire thrilling experiences. Also, agitating bees definitely seems to cause an emotional reaction!
(4) Climate change is contributing to the declining population of bees.
The good news is that while the honeybee population is declining, the rate is slowing compared to previous decades. In the past, the bee population was estimated to be declining by 9% year over year, but that rate has since improved to about 4%. Both the Environmental Protection Agency and the CDC got involved in studying and establishing policies to protect honey bee colonies, thus contributing to the improving trend. Climate change is an undeniable problem when it comes to the livelihood of bees. Extended periods of drought affect the floral nectar and pollen bees need to survive and produce honey. In regions with extreme rain, bees are limited in terms of time to fly and forage for food. Additionally, the increasing use of pesticides and elimination of natural habitats both have an adverse impact on bees.
Inside the Lives of Insects