Bees are not native to North America; colonists
introduced them in the 1600s. The common types we see
on Kiawah Island are honeybees (genus Apis) and native
bumble bees (genus Bombus). Occasionally you may spot a
sweat bee—a small, solitary insect with an iridescent green
body—adorning the interior of a colorful flower.
Do not assume all bees are similar; they are actually quite
different physically as well as in their behaviors. In fact,
their complexities would be interesting subject matter for
a great science fiction movie. Similarities and differences
notwithstanding, they are certainly creatures that should not
be approached nonchalantly. Environmentally, these tiny
insects have a major impact on pollination as they exist in
a symbiotic relationship with flowers and plants. Statistics
indicate that one of every three bites of consumed food is
from honey bee pollinated plants or other pollinators. As a
result, commercial beekeeping is big business.
Bees have fascinating sight capabilities that are based on
two compound eyes and three ocelli, or simple eyes, centered
on their heads. Within each are trichromatic photoreceptor
cells that facilitate seeing green, blue and remarkably,
ultraviolet light. Interestingly, the UV light is especially
beneficial because it reveals nectar patterns on flowers.
So, what about that buzz? Bumble bees are good-sized
bees, capable of vibrating their wing and thorax muscles, thus
creating the buzzing sound. The vibrations are extremely
purposeful, actually strong enough to cause pollen from
flowers’ anthers to fall off onto the bee’s body. When a
bee lands on another flower and the pollen is distributed,
pollination is achieved. Some species with tubular anthers
are successfully pollinated by buzz pollination. Bumble
bees’ sounds may be quite intimidating, but they are not a
defense mechanism. On the other hand, if they lift a middle
leg, they are using a posture indicator warning you to “buzz
off.” Honey bees, by comparison, do not “buzz pollinate” and
remain quiet when foraging among flowers.
The physiology of honey bees is particularly complex
and fascinating. These bees must maintain a specific body
temperature to fly and can search for a host for three miles.
Bumble bees tend to visit a single flower that can be scentmarked repeatedly. Researchers have discovered honey bee
“dances,” forms of sophisticated communication, indicating
preferred foraging locations to other honey bees. During
foraging, nectar is sucked through the proboscis. Mandibles
can poke holes into flowers for extraction. The hind legs are
well designed, with compartments that hold packed pollen.
Nectar can be stored in the body until both it and the pollen
are brought back to the colony.
Although bees have specific jobs in support of the queen
and the colony, for most of the population of a particular hive
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