Honeycombs are cells in a hive that are created to store honey and feed young insects. These elements are arranged in a clear sequence. In bees, the architectural structure of cells is determined at the genetic level. They clearly know what components the honeycomb should include and what shape it can take. That being said, many people wonder why honeycombs are hexagonal.
What is a honeycomb
This term refers to wax cells that are designed to store nectar and transform it into honey.They also raise brood – young bees. The structure consists of wax, which is produced with the secretion of special glands. On average, bees spend about 10-15 milligrams of wax to create one element.
Why are honeycombs hexagonal?
Bees make hexagonal honeycombs. This design gives the cells high strength with low wall thickness and is a suitable system for storing honey. Hexagonal elements contain more honey than three- or tetrahedral ones, which are made from the same volume of wax.
Moreover, the process of creating such cells is unique. According to research conducted by Chinese and British scientists, bees initially make round honeycombs and seal the gaps at the joints with wax. They are distinguished by their triangular shape.
What are they needed for?
Beeswax cells are used to store honey and bee bread. Worker insects are also raised there. This type is often found in apiaries and beehives, most of which are working individuals. For 1 square centimeter of the hive there are 4-6 cells with a depth of 10-12 millimeters. Before sealing the brood the size is 20 millimeters. Then it increases to 25 millimeters.
During insect rearing, the cell space is significantly reduced. This is due to the accumulation of cocoon remains.When insects notice that there is little space for storing nectar, they build new cells.
Southern bees have small honeycombs. Northern rocks are characterized by cells twice as large. To create one honeycomb, bees spend 10-14 milligrams of wax. The main functions of this design include the following:
- growing, feeding, keeping insects;
- place of residence of working individuals;
- storage of nectar and its transformation into honey.
Storage rules
This product is very useful. To preserve its valuable characteristics, it is important to provide the right conditions. Comb honey contains natural propolis, which is a natural preservative.
At the same time, the following factors negatively affect the shelf life:
- high humidity - suitable parameters are no more than 60%;
- exposure to direct sunlight - under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, honey is destroyed;
- insects - comb honey suffers more from wax moths;
- mold is very difficult to deal with, so you will have to get rid of the product.
The hexagonal shape is considered the most economical. It is in such cells that the maximum amount of nectar is placed, which subsequently turns into honey.
