Western Honey Bee

Description:

Winter honey bees emerge from eggs laid at the end of summer (Winter bees are physiologically different than summer bees & their sole purpose is to get the colony through until spring). Winter bees have fatter bodies which they rely on for nourishment during the non-foraging months & they live for 4 - 6 months, summer bees live approximately 45 days. Honey bees, like other insects are cold blooded but they do not die or hibernate for the winter. Instead they cluster together in the hive to keep warm. The cluster expands and contracts as the weather warms and cools. Consuming honey helps the bees to generate heat.

Notes:

This winter bee, covered in snow-like pollen, is to pay homage to all of the overwintering honey bees :)-