| MadSci Network: Zoology |
Dear Benard,
Thank you for your question on bees. After searching through various
resources on bees, I have found the source of Heloise's Hint. Those facts
(and many others) come from the National Honey Board's website: www.honey.org.
You must remember, however, that all statistics have degrees of
variation. For example, clover produces larger quantities of nectar while
other wildflowers may produce smaller quantities. If you place a hive of
bees in a
clover patch, the bees will not need to fly very far to fill up on nectar,
and will need to visit fewer flowers, thus deceasing the miles and flowers
needed to produce a pound of honey. Bees will fly up to a mile to find a
source of nectar or pollen (especially if it's a great source) but
generally prefer to travel shorter distances. (A good sized bee hive can
produce between one and two pounds of honey per day!)
As one who has worked with honey bees, I must say that they are
fascinating animals. There are many websites that discus various facts
about bee biology and how to keep bees yourself. One such site is The
Bee Keeper's Homepage maintained in Alberta, Canada. As you read
about honeybees, think about the possibility of maintaining a hive or two
yourself, it can be great fun!
If you have any more bee questions, feel free to ask us another question!
John
Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Zoology.