Visit Sue Bee, an interactive web site
Since Binx was older than Beetrice by a couple of seconds, she liked to take charge. "Not now Binx," replied Beetrice, "I'm dreaming of a great big flower." "Beetrice! You need to clean the empty hive cells so the Queen can lay more eggs. And I need to help feed the older larvae." "Shucks, I wish I was a Nurse Bee and could help take care of the young larvae." "In time
Beetrice. Bee patient." "Congratulations
little bees," buzzed the Queen. "You've been promoted!" "Nurse Bees report to cell 8," commanded the Queen. The first day on the job was tough. Beetrice and Binx worked hard to produce royal jelly, a high protein substance used to feed the young queen larvae. But after a few days, the work became easy. Beetrice loved her job, but Binx was bored.
|
Another part of
Binx's and Beatrice's job was to help control the temperature of the
hive. If the hive got too warm, Binx and Beetrice would fan their
wings to keep it cool. One day Beetrice
was tired and bored. She was now 14 days old and couldn't wait for he Beetrice turned around to see what Binx was so excited about. "Beetrice! We're going to be Guard Bees! The Queen said our stinger has finally developed. Now we can help defend the hive!" "Oh! How fun! When do we start?" asked Beetrice. "Right away," said Binx. "The hive is under attack!" Binx ran off to
report for duty and Beetrice followed close behind. After the
invaders left, Beetrice and Binx helped guard the hive from future
attacks. Fortunately, all was quiet in the meadows after that. |
"Binx and Beetrice!" exclaimed Rubee when she saw them. "It is so nice to see you. I heard that you are working as guard bees now." Binx and
Beetrice nodded their heads "yes". "Well, that's nice. I just got a job as a Honey-Making Field Bee and today I saw the most amazing thing! It's a big metal thing that spins honey out of our honeycomb. My boss told me it's called an extractor and humans use it to take the extra honey we don't use! It makes work sooo easy. I must get an extractor for myself." "Sounds like a real cool invention, Rubee," said Binx, trying to figure out what a bee would do with an extractor. "Of course it is, and I will get one, you'll see. Not that I need it. I'm number one in my group for visiting flowers. Today I collected nectar from 89 flowers! Well, I must be going. Buzz, buzz for now." Rubee flew away. " Rubee thinks she's so good! I wish my wings would develop so I could get assigned as a honey maker!" buzzed Beetrice. Binx answered. "I know, Beetrice. But our time will come." |
The next day, Binx woke up and stretched out her wings. Something felt different. She was now 20 days old. Binx began to flutter her wings and suddenly, she began to fly! Beetrice opened her eyes. "Look Beetrice!" exclaimed Binx. "I'm flying, I'm flying!" Binx began to fly toward looked the light coming in through the hive. "Wait for me!" yelled Beetrice as she began to flutter her wings. She was also flying. For the first time Beetrice and Binx flew out of the hive in search of flowers. "Look Beetrice! A flower!" Said Binx as she did a bee dance to let Beetrice know where the flower was. She then flew to the flower. "Now, where is that nectar?" Binx searched the flower. "Binx! That's the pistil. It's the flower's central organ. The nectar is hidden down inside the flower, past those sticky stamens. Remember what we learned in honey class?" "Oh right!" Buzzed Binx. "Stamens produce the pollen. I'm looking for the anther which is where the pollen is developed and stored. Thanks Beetrice." Binx crawled into the flower. "I found it!" She exclaimed, and a couple of seconds later she came back to the flowers petals with the prize nectar. "Look Binx," said Beetrice as she looked around the meadows with all five of her eyes. "There are flowers everywhere! Bet you can't visit 100 of them today!" Binx grinned mischievously at Beetrice. "I'll race ya. On your marks, get set, BUZZ!"
|
||