Ahah, well, this is how bees differ from humans. From a biological perspective, we refer to a bee hive as a supra-organism. All the bees in a hive have their own unique roles, and most of them move through those roles as they grow from young to old. Example, there are nurse bees (to care for the newly forming pupa), cleaner bees, guard bees (at the entrance to the hive), scout bees, worker (harvesting) bees, etc.
But the hive as a whole exists and functions as a single organism. It's purpose is to reproduce itself. So if a stinging bee (males do not have stings) dies, that's OK. It's purpose, and the purpose of ALL the bees in the hive, is to perpetuate the life of the hive and multiply it.
So, even if it dies, that's not really it's demise. The life of the hive continues and is protected....
Ahah, well, this is how bees differ from humans. From a biological perspective, we refer to a bee hive as a supra-organism. All the bees in a hive have their own unique roles, and most of them move through those roles as they grow from young to old. Example, there are nurse bees (to care for the newly forming pupa), cleaner bees, guard bees (at the entrance to the hive), scout bees, worker (harvesting) bees, etc.
But the hive as a whole exists and functions as a single organism. It's purpose is to reproduce itself. So if a stinging bee (males do not have stings) dies, that's OK. It's purpose, and the purpose of ALL the bees in the hive, is to perpetuate the life of the hive and multiply it.
So, even if it dies, that's not really it's demise. The life of the hive continues and is protected....
If the harvesters stop doing their job, can they be replaced by harvester bees from mexico?
You'll have to ask Todd Lyons about that