Happenings in the insect world
- Author: Kathy Keatley Garvey
Published on: August 19, 2010
When temperatures soar, look for honey bees to head for water resources.
On the grounds of the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at the University of California, Davis, something as simple as a freshly watered potted plant will do.
Without water to ventilate and cool the hive, the wax inside an overheated hive on a hot day will melt and the brood will die.
However, if you see a honey bee collecting water, you might also see a European paper wasp (Polistes dominula).
These wasps need water to mix with their saliva and wood fibers to build their nests (right). They also bring back water for the offspring and to cool their nests.
Honey bees stand on the lip of the container or on rocks or sediment. They don't like getting their feet wet. Not so with wasps.
On the grounds of the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at the University of California, Davis, something as simple as a freshly watered potted plant will do.
Without water to ventilate and cool the hive, the wax inside an overheated hive on a hot day will melt and the brood will die.
waspnestsmall
However, if you see a honey bee collecting water, you might also see a European paper wasp (Polistes dominula).
These wasps need water to mix with their saliva and wood fibers to build their nests (right). They also bring back water for the offspring and to cool their nests.
Honey bees stand on the lip of the container or on rocks or sediment. They don't like getting their feet wet. Not so with wasps.
Potted Plant
European Paper Wasp
Water Forager
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