Story: Beekeeping

Wild bee colony

Wild bee colony

In spring, when new queen bees are hatching – and especially if the bees have been well fed over winter – new swarms may form and leave the parent hive. Swarming bees are not usually dangerous, and, as with most bees, will not sting unless threatened. They look for a home in a tree or branch, then search for nectar to support the new colony. This swarm has relocated to a hollow tree.

Using this item

Natural Sciences Image Library of New Zealand
Reference: In0610Mrt.tif
Photograph by John Marris

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Allan Gillingham, 'Beekeeping - The bee colony', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/15757/wild-bee-colony (accessed 26 April 2024)

Story by Allan Gillingham, published 24 Nov 2008