The construction strategy of bees

Abstract

Comb construction strategies in bees are very interesting from an architectural and mathematical point of view. In order to build a comb, workers attach themselves one to another in chains whose shape outlines the standard ellipsoidal form of the comb. Guidelines for builders probably stem from thermal and olfactory gradients. Experiments have been carried out to test flexibility in comb arrangements. The results show a high degree of adaptation in building strategies and further support the view of bee society as a superorganism exhibiting complex and sophisticated behaviours.

KEY WORDS:

• comb
• construction strategy
• wax chains
• behaviour
• superorganism