The Study of Bees

The study of bugs is entomology, and the specialized field of study that focuses on bees is apiology. Entomology studies more than 1 million insect species, while apiology explores the social behaviors, patterns, cognitive abilities, and ecological impact of bees. Although there is some crossover since bees are not the only pollinators, apiologists research behaviors unique to bees, such as the waggle dance and social behaviors.

A Deeper Dive into Bee Roles

Honeybees are among the most studied bee species, and even though much is known about them, new findings continue to emerge. Honeybees are social bees that operate like a well-functioning network. The queen bee has workers who may change roles while in the hive. If you think about family dynamics, all bees are related in the hive because they all come from the queen, whose only job is to lay eggs for the entirety of her life within the hive.

As bees age, their roles in the hive may shift during their short lifespan. The indoor tasks, including nursing and cleaning, can shift to forging and wax making as they mature. Young bees start by cleaning cells so the queen can lay more eggs. After the eggs are laid, bees put on their nursing hat and feed and cap the brood. After nursing, which occurs around two weeks old, wax and comb building become the new focus of bees in this stage. As bees get older, they begin to forage and work outside the hive. Foraging carries the greatest risk due to environmental factors and the energy it requires. Anything outside the hive is beyond the bees’ control, and not all bees make it back to the hive.

If a beehive gets damaged by a storm or another environmental factor, the bees rally. Bees shift to repair mode during a crisis, and age and function don’t matter. The ability of bees to adapt and work collectively is fascinating. If certain roles are short-staffed, bees shift to ensure the queen and hive have everything they need. If an intruder, like a hornet, tries to attack, bees will shift to using their wings to overheat and kill the intruder, then seamlessly return to their previous roles.

Recent Breakthroughs in Apiology

Already in 2026, many breakthroughs and new findings have emerged in apiculture. As one can imagine, studying the varroa mite and other threats is something that is ongoing because it is something that kills entire colonies in a region. Varroa mites are a real and present danger, and treatments and resistance are among the top findings this year. Other studies have examined how honeybees detect certain smells, manage nutrition, and communicate.

One finding this year is that bees performing the waggle dance tend to put more into it depending on the audience. It seems the waggle dance performance varies with the number of bees watching. The nutritional findings show surges in bee populations with higher nutritional balance, which is now being monitored and studied in more depth. Understanding why some bees are more resilient to the Varroa mites, or how to treat these mites in other environments, can help mitigate this ongoing problem in bee colonies. Some wild bee species that are unmanaged have been shown to naturally adapt to mites, in contrast to managed bee populations, which beekeepers often treat regularly.

The Importance of Studying Bees

Studying bees, their behaviors, patterns, and threats against them will always be an important topic for study. Bees, although not the only pollinator, are a significant contributor to the process and the world’s food production. Bees are much more important than being honey makers. In fact, most bees don’t make honey and aren’t even social bees. A majority of bee species are solitary bees, but because most beekeepers manage honeybees, their behaviors are easier to study with some consistency.

Healthy bee populations in a region can bring health and balance to an ecosystem, which is why there is continued emphasis on the use of pesticides and on how human decisions can have a much greater impact on bees and other pollinators. As non-beekeepers, everyone can play a part in protecting existing bees in the area by being mindful of their landscaping and pest control choices. It is understandable that encountering a beehive on your property can be concerning, but experienced beekeepers can humanely remove bees, help swarms move along if necessary, and provide guidance on how to protect your home from bees building a hive inside as we enter swarming season.