The speed or the frequency of the repeating dance pattern performed is an
indication of the quality of the resource; the higher the speed of the dance means
the better the quality of the resource. When dance repetition is low or reduced, it
indicates potential risk. If a dead bee is found at a potential foraging site, for
example, returning foragers and scouts perform fewer waggle dances relative to
that location [21, 22] (Fig. 1.1).
2.2.4 European Honey Bees
The honey bee as we know it was not native to the Americas; they were, in fact,
imported from Europe during colonial times in the 1600s. Apis mellifera was instead
native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, and evolved into different subspecies by geography throughout Africa and Eurasia. These honey bees are referred to as European
or western honey bees [23]. The majority of available pollination information is
derived from European honey bee data for this reason.
Most crops grown in the United States are not native to the Americas either. Both
the crops and honey bees evolved in other parts of the world and were brought to
United States by European settlers. Today, more than 90 commercially produced
crops in the United States rely on bee pollination [8].
Honey bee population numbers and temporal activity patterns are easily assessed
by visual inspection. Physically managed hives can produce important information
on hive conditions and activity, the timing of flowering and nectar access, and details
about the interaction between bees and the environment [24].
Fig. 1.1 Honey bee waggle dance [19]
1 Understanding, Conservation, and Protection of Precious Natural Resources: Bees
11
indication of the quality of the resource; the higher the speed of the dance means
the better the quality of the resource. When dance repetition is low or reduced, it
indicates potential risk. If a dead bee is found at a potential foraging site, for
example, returning foragers and scouts perform fewer waggle dances relative to
that location [21, 22] (Fig. 1.1).
2.2.4 European Honey Bees
The honey bee as we know it was not native to the Americas; they were, in fact,
imported from Europe during colonial times in the 1600s. Apis mellifera was instead
native to Europe, Asia, and Africa, and evolved into different subspecies by geography throughout Africa and Eurasia. These honey bees are referred to as European
or western honey bees [23]. The majority of available pollination information is
derived from European honey bee data for this reason.
Most crops grown in the United States are not native to the Americas either. Both
the crops and honey bees evolved in other parts of the world and were brought to
United States by European settlers. Today, more than 90 commercially produced
crops in the United States rely on bee pollination [8].
Honey bee population numbers and temporal activity patterns are easily assessed
by visual inspection. Physically managed hives can produce important information
on hive conditions and activity, the timing of flowering and nectar access, and details
about the interaction between bees and the environment [24].
Fig. 1.1 Honey bee waggle dance [19]
1 Understanding, Conservation, and Protection of Precious Natural Resources: Bees
11