What is a group of bees called wikipedia

People often use the word “swarm” to refer to a group of bees or wasps.

For example, you might have seen several yellow jackets excitedly drinking from a sugary spill on the ground and remarked that they were “swarming.” But this isn’t an accurate use of the term.

In beekeeping, swarming refers to a very specific behavior.

Are bee swarms dangerous

Let’s dive into the basics of swarming, misconceptions about this remarkable adaptaion, and what to do if you ever encounter a swarm.

What is a swarm?

Simply put, a swarm is a baby honey bee colony. When a colony casts off a swarm, it is reproducing.

The old queen leaves with about two-thirds of the workforce to find a new nest location. The other third of the bees stay behind and raise a new queen.

This new “princess” or virgin queen will leave the hive, mate with about a dozen male drone bees, then return to the hive to begin laying eggs.

Typically, the group of bees that left with the old queen will land within 100 feet from the hive (oftentimes on a tree branch) where they will r

what is a hive of bees called

what is a flock of bees called