NEN Gallery

European honey bee. Honey bees are a subset of bees in the genus Apis, primarily distinguished by the production and storage of honey and the construction of hives out of wax. Their colonies are long-lasting. The bees live on stored reserves of food and huddle together in a large mass during cold winter weather. The drones, however, are turned outside in autumn to die once their reproductive role is over. They communicate the flight path to new nectar sources through a remarkable dance. They live in a wide range of habitats and can be found in both towns and countryside. Picture taken at Bedford on 20th August 2011.