How does a queen bee communicate with other bees in the hive?

The queen bee is the heart of a honeybee colony. It is   essential for survival and prosperity of a colony. She is the sole fertile female. The presence and health of the queen are crucial indicators of the overall well-being of the hive. It  makes a central figure in the complex social structure of honeybee communities.

Queen bees communication system:

Queen bees usually talk to other bees in the hive by using pheromones. These are special chemicals that send messages and make the other bees react in a certain way.

Here’s how queen bees use pheromones to communicate:

Queen Mandibular Pheromone (QMP):  

The queen bee’s mandibular glands make this pheromone. It stops worker bees from laying eggs. Also, it stops worker bees from making new queen cells. This keeps the queen in charge of the hive.

Brood Pheromone:

The presence of developing brood (bee larvae and pupae) in the hive emits a characteristic pheromone. It helps to maintain colony cohesion. The queen bee may also contribute to this pheromone blend. It also regulates the behavior of worker bees and stimulates tasks related to brood care.

Sex Pheromones: 

During mating flights, queen bees release sex pheromones that attract drones (male bees) for mating. These pheromones help ensure successful mating and the transfer of sperm to the queen’s spermatheca.

Royal Jelly:

Worker bees make royal jelly. They only feed it to queen larvae. It has nutrients like proteins, vitamins, minerals, and lipids. It helps queen bees develop properly.

Queen Retinue Pheromone:

Worker bees produce this pheromone when the queen is around. It helps the queen maintain her dominance and presence in the colony. It also helps attract worker bees to feed and groom the queen.

Alarm Pheromone:

Worker bees release the alarm pheromone when there are threats or disturbances to the hive, like predators or intruders. This alerts other bees and gets them ready to defend the hive, making them behave aggressively and sting.

Nasonov Pheromone:

1. Worker bees release Nasonov pheromone from a special gland at the end of their abdomen. Bees use a special smell called Nasonov pheromone to help their fellow bees find their way back to the hive. This is especially important when the bees are swarming or when the bees come back from collecting nectar or pollen.

Reproductive Suppression Pheromone:

Pheromones are essential for honeybees to communicate and work together in their colonies. They help maintain stability by preventing the development of new queens and reducing conflicts. Pheromones are essential for social insects’ behavior, maintaining their structure, and ensuring colony survival.

How does a queen bee communicate with other bees outside in the hive?

Outside of the hive, queen bees primarily communicate with other bees through the release of pheromones, particularly during mating flights. Here’s how queen bees communicate outside of the hive:

• Mating Flights:
  • Queen bees communicate with drones (male bees) during their mating flights through the release of sex pheromones.
  • These pheromones serve to attract drones from neighboring colonies and guide them to the queen’s location, facilitating successful mating in mid-air.
• Orientation and Navigation:
  • When queen bees leave the hive for mating flights or during swarming events, they may release orientation pheromones.
  • These pheromones help guide other bees, particularly worker bees, back to the hive by providing scent cues and landmarks to follow.
• Swarming:
  • When a colony swarms, it splits up and some bees go with the old queen to start a new hive. The queen releases special scents called swarming pheromones.
  • These special smells tell worker bees that it’s time to gather together.THEY show them where to go before they find a new home.
• Chemical Trail Marking:
  • Queen bees leave chemical markers on surfaces. They touch during mating flights or swarming.Although they are not as noticeable outside the hive as they are inside.
  • These special trails made of chemicals can help other bees find their way. Specifically, worker bees can follow these trails to find important places or things they need.
• Pheromones on the Queen’s Body:
  • Queen bees have different kinds of smells on their bodies. Such as the queen mandibular smell, which can change how other bees act. When they meet them outside of the hive.
  • When worker bees from a different colony come across a queen bee during a mating flight. Her pheromones can either prevent aggression or help with recognition.

Overall, while the queen’s communication outside of the hive is less extensive compared to within the hive.