Honey bees do different jobs as they get older. The young bees take care of the brood, and the older bees go out and forage or gather food.
In the fall, the foraging bees don’t look too bad.
They are still fuzzy and their wings are in good shape.
Now contrast that to some honey bees out foraging this week.
Can you see the dark patch on the back of the thorax? This bee has lost some of her hair.
The quality of this photo isn’t the best, but can you see how ragged the edges of this honey bee’s wings are?
These honey bees have been in the nest all winter, probably working hard to keep it warm. They are worn out.
Have you ever spotted a honey bee that was worse for wear?
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