Page 42 - The Miracle of the Honeybee

40 THE MIRACLE OF THE HONEYBEE

eign bees entering the hive are immediately identified. Scientists research-
ing the question of how bees accomplish this came up with some very sur-
prising conclusions:
The odor of the hive is the most important factor how bees recognize
one another; thanks to this odor, the bees are able to tell each other apart.
Those that do not carry the hive’s distinctive odor therefore represent a
danger. Without exception, every outsider lacking the odor of the hive is
attacked by the guard bees.
Bees that try to enter another hive are immediately identified by its
sentries because of their different odors, and are either expelled or killed
by the guards.

Since they do not carry the hive odor,
outsiders trying to enter it are attacked
and repulsed by the guard bees.