Foragers

Honey bee foragers are adult female bees that are responsible for finding and collecting food for the hive. They are typically older bees that have completed their larval development and have become specialized in foraging for nectar, pollen, and other resources. Foragers leave the hive and fly to flowers, where they collect nectar and pollen using their mouthparts. They also collect water and propolis, a resinous substance that they use to seal cracks and gaps in the hive. When a forager returns to the hive, she unloads the nectar and pollen into the honeycombs, where it is stored until it is needed. The foragers also communicate the location of good food sources to the other bees in the hive through a process called “dancing.” Honey bee foragers are important to the health and survival of the hive, as they provide the necessary resources for the colony to thrive. Without foragers, the hive would not have access to the food and water it needs to survive.