Honey bee life cycle

While some colonies live in hives provided by humans, so-called "wild" colonies (although all honey bees remain wild, even when cultivated and managed by humans) typically prefer a nest site that is clean, dry, protected from the weather, about 20 litres (4.4 imp gal; 5.3 US gal) in volume with a 4–6 cm2 (0.62–0.93 sq in) entrance about 3 m (9.8 ft) above the ground, and preferably facing south or south-east (in the Northern Hemisphere) or north or north-east (in the Southern Hemisphere).

New virgin queens develop in enlarged cells through differential feeding of royal jelly by workers.

The fertilized eggs develop into either (diploid) workers or queens (if fed exclusively royal jelly).

Every honey bee (Apis mellifera) in a hive exists to perform specific duties determined by their sex and age.

Like every member of its colony, the nurse honey bee plays a vital role in the survival of its hive.